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kaypeace21 · 5 years

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The Duffers use of music proves byler is endgame (music-analysis)

The Duffers in an interview said that they choose songs for the show very deliberately -sometimes spending weeks on Spotify to find just the right song to convey an emotion/context of a scene. Songs in all seasons (but especially in s3) were used to show how characters are feeling- or just an action they’re about to commit.

For instance, Karen when she’s about to meet Billy at the motel- feels apprehensive and wants to get out of it (since it would hurt her family) and she was just flirting with Billy as a way to escape her own issues, about her life. She never flirted with Billy for the end-goal of “getting him.”

They even use “cat’s in the cradle’ which could be shown as a way to illustrate the inappropriate age disparity between Billy/Karen.

Other examples-

Right before the boys run away from the lingerie store- the lyrics are literally “I just walk away” XD

Jim when he looks at Joyce- the lyrics are “she’s got you.” ( cause he’s in love with her).

-And Jim after getting Mike to not come over to see El, (by yelling at him) sings…

Joyce after she sees Bob’s drawing fall to the ground and then crouches to pick it up.

And songs also illustrates how Nancy feels about her job (with her sexist co-workers). As the morose lyrics of “I’ll be working here forever” play as it zooms in on Hawkins post -as Nancy rushes inside.

As well as her excitement -about investigating a new case. As Jancy leaves and the very on the nose song of “get up and go” begins -as they get into the car.

Billy when he pulls out chloroform (from a perfume bottle).

El after dumping Mike (and smiling about it) XD

So all the byler stuff I’m about to mention proves byler is endgame.

So yes, the fact that the very first lyrics that play when we see mileven kiss for the first time is “Just a little uncertainty can bring you down”- reflects that (just like the others, the song reflects Mike’s true feelings). The song is from the album “boy in the box (cough closet)”.

And we know this is how Mike (not El) feels about their relationship because he begins to sing the song right after this lyric. It mirrors how when Will danced with a girl (who owned a rainbow hair clip) the lyrics were “every smile you fake.”

Mike continues “And nobody wants to know you now. And nobody wants to show you how.So if you’re lost and on your own. You can never surrender.” He fears that if he isn’t straight everyone he cares about will abandon him, and that he’d be lost and the only one ‘like this’ -all alone.But he can’t ‘surrender’ the false-idea of being in love with El (out of fear). El even says to “stop” and tries to cover his mouth to prevent him from singing and Mike asks “What you don’t like it?” and El just says “No!”.

Which may be a purposeful juxtaposition to how Robin came out- and instead both Robin and Steve sang off-tune happily together- while El covers Mike’s mouth and tells him to stop singing. When Mileven kiss at the end of the season the song ‘the first i love you’ plays. The same song that plays when Robin comes out to steve (to illustrate the juxtaposition).

What’s interesting is ( right before the mileven kiss) we see a zoom in shot of a picture of Will and a rainbow . Like that’s Will! He has light brown hair (not black) and Will is the only one associated with fire and has drawn himself with fire in the past.

And since El has Mike related-stuff all over her room, and barely knows Will. Mike probably lied saying it was supposed to be him- which is why it’s above her bed.And we also see that based on it’s placement Mike is facing the Will drawing so he can see it (cause we see El in front of the poster and Mike sitting opposite of her during the 1st kiss) .

And during this transition the lyrics read “cause just a little more time could open closing doors” Which could be hinting at byler becoming a thing later - when (after some ‘time’) they both become ready to actually admit their feelings/sexuality - despite the other probably doubting the other has feelings for them.

I mean we even see an illustration of Will & the text of the name ‘Mike’ written out next to a rainbow-heart. And 2 other drawings next to the rainbow heart drawing (that are covered in red hearts). XD

(*for those who can’t see Mike written out in the transitioned will/mike pic)

However, what’s interesting though is the one other things he took down from his wall. In S1 Mike (before he even met El) has a heart sign, with a red heart being propelled by a rainbow. Then in s3 it's gone from his wall when he dates El (cause he's trying to repress the fact he's gay). Why El has a drawing that says Mike (with a heart also propelled by a rainbow.) He can't use El to escape the truth. His rainbow follows him everywhere even when he tries to hide it (from his basement wall and himself) - and when kissing El!Aka he tries to take it down (like he pretends to be straight). However, in the first ep of s3 when Mike is making-out with El (trying to project his feelings for Will on to her by looking at the Will drawing while kissing) we see a emergence of the heart being propelled by a rainbow (in El’s room) as a drawing. signifying Mike participating in compulsory-heterosexuality, and the fact no matter how hard he tries- he’s not straight!

Also El’s reaction to the song - hints that this isn’t actually her mixtape. But one that Mike made for her. or Will made for Mike (since jon makes mixtapes and prob taught him how- Will in s3 gave a mixtape to Dustin so it would not surprise me if he gave one to Mike).

So similar to the drawing, the mixtape hints at byler’s feelings

‘I can’t fight this feeling’ (which mileven makes out to later). Actually indicates Mike fighting his feelings for Will. And how he’s been trying to fight his feelings for Will, all season.

Besides the lyrics themselves- the singer literally went on record about the song’s meaning . Which is about a boy being in love/pinning over his friend of many years and never thinking he had a chance at being with them (and being afraid he’d ruin the relationship if he confessed)- but slowly thinking he could be with them (and that they might feel the same way about him) . And in the song the 2 people AREN’T even together yet!

“Oh, I can’t fight this feeling any longer. And yet I’m still afraid to let it flow. What started out this friendship has grown stronger, I only wish I had the strength to let it show. I tell myself that I can’t hold out forever .I said there is no reason for my fear ‘Cause I feel so secure when we’re together ‘.You give my life direction. You make everything so clear. And even as I wander I’m keeping you in sight. You’re a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter’s night. And I’m getting closer than I ever thought I might”

This makes no sense for mileven who kissed after knowing each other for a week and who didn’t have a long established friendship, beforehand. And who also are already together (and not afraid to express their ‘romantic feelings’ for each other).

Then in s2, mileven dance to ‘every breath you take’ a break up song about a stalker ex. The writer of the song also has said many times “it’s NOT a love song.” The duffers obviously knew that. Lumax also danced to it and Lucas was called a ‘stalker’. El also stalked Mike in s2 (all that stuff milevens found romantic- El watching him without him knowing. Mike says he was not ok with it in s3). And in s3 he said not to do that and she just says ‘i make my own rules’. Not to mention Nancy teaching Dustin how to dance is a direct parallel to Mike teaching El.

Mike also tries to act like Dustin, and forces Will to dance with a girl (who’s wearing a rainbow hair clip). Trying to be a good sport like Dustin is about lumax. And right after this we see Dustin look sad about Max/Lucas dancing and Mike (next to Dustin) look sadly at Will/girl dancing in the same exact frame as Max/Lucas. As they switch between these 2 shots to emphasize their sadness/jealousy.Then they both sit down (mirroring each other) on the verge of tears before Nancy and El show up to comfort them and distract them. As El once again (presumably) wears Nancy dress. Mike “you cant go with your sister… i mean you can but it’d be really weird.”

Also in regards to Will- when I heard they were going to have the song ‘Never ending story’ I wondered if they were going to re-contextualize one line in particular to be a hint at Will’s queerness. And shock- they did it! XD

The lyric is “ Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds and there upon a rainbow Is the answer to a never ending story. ”

And of course Will is the one with a secret- that is ‘rainbow’ related. And they pan to him during the “secrets” line. I think Will is less in the denial phase than Mike is and already knows he’s gay and in love with him.

And this wasn’t a coincidence because when Lumax makes fun of Dustin they sing the lyrics incorrectly as “The mirror of your dreams. Rhymes that keep their secrets…” And it pans to Will AGAIN!

We see Will obscured in shadows to represent he’s “hiding”.

And then he appears in the light, looking sadly at D&D as the lyrics , “rhymes that keep their secrets” is sang (again).

And we see he’s specifically looking at the d&d game sadly and about to give it away- since they zoom in on the game title (before he places it in the “donation” box).

Because the d&d game is used to reflect his desires (like a “mirror”) . It’s the ‘mirror of his dreams’- to be with Mike. Cue Mike saying “ what did you think,really? That we were never gonna get girlfriends? We were just gonna sit in my basement all day and play games for the rest of our lives?” And poor Will just responding with “Yeah, I guess I did. I really did.”

This lyric about the mirror is NOT in the original song. It was used once again to establish D&D as a romantic symbol for byler. Just like how they zoomed in on d&d right before the romantic “crazy together” speech.

Mike in s3 says “Blank makes you crazy… y’know like the word (love).” Flo in s1 says “ Only love makes you that crazy and that stupid.” Cue Will calling himself “stupid” 4 times (after Mike says they won’t be together playing games for the rest of their lives-and ripping up the Halloween pic , out of heart-break).

(x)

So again right after we see the zoom-in of the game (another romantically coded scene happens after). Will puts the game in the ‘donation’ pile - and Mike isn’t happy about it.

Mike: “WHOA, dude, that’s the donation box.”

Will: “ I know, I’ll just use yours, when I come back. (pause) if WE still want to play?”

( translation: “I love and want to be with you but I’m not going to pursue you and get my heart broken again. Because even if I feel like you love me… I can’t trust my own instincts about how you truly feel anymore. If you want to play this ‘game of love’ with me you have to initiate/participate in the game properly.” Mike when fixated on El even says it was a cool campaign but “we just weren’t in the mood right now.” and also says to Will “c’mon, let’s play for real” but Will storms off (not thinking that what Mike said was genuine).

Mike : “Yeah, but what if you want to join another party?”

(*cough, the other ‘species’/girls, or just someone else: girl, guy or otherwise)

Will: “Not possible.”

(Will will always love Mike, and admits he wants to be with him for the rest of his life).

(x)

And we actually see the Hopper’s Monologue (where Mike is shown)- reflects what Mike said to Will earlier. Mike does want to love Will but he’s just scared of changing their relationship into something romantic- and even though a part of him doesn’t want things to change, he’s still afraid that Will will move on from him as they both get older. “I’ve been feeling distant from you. Like you’re pulling away from me or something” (Will does this both figuratively/literally). I miss playing board games every night (d &d)”. “But I know you’re getting older, growing, changing. And I guess, if I’m being really honest, that’s what scares me. I don’t want things to change.”

Also the lyric “ Rhymes that keep their secrets will unfold behind the clouds and there upon a rainbow- is the answer to a never ending story. ”

One way or another Will’s secret (of being queer and/or being in love with Mike) will eventually come out. And that’s the answer to this “never ending story” between Will & Mike. Their love story. I mean who else is associated with Will’s story and has loads of rainbow symbolism - and has rainbow symbolism that specifically connects them to Will?

*Lol don’t even get me started on analyzing how in s1 when Mike thinks Will is dead- Mike hugs his mom and the lyrics are “and we kiss as though nothing could fall. And the shame.” Which is queer coded and written by David Bowie- and during the s2 “freak” speech- Will even says he’d rather be friends with Bowie than Kenny Roggers.

People need to realize no one is a bigger shipper of byler- than the Duffer brothers themselves! XD

#byler #byeler

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yurtletheturtlehenderson · 5 years

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S.T. REWRITE - S2:E5; Chapter Five, Dig Dug - [Pt. 1]

A Will Byers x Reader Series

After a run-in with Will, a troubled Y/n teams up with an unlikely ally in her search for answers. “Bob the Brain” tackles a difficult problem.

||Reader’s POV||

“It’s like… It’s like I feel what the shadow monster’s feeling. See what he’s seeing,” I frowned, my heart breaking for Will.

Will was sitting next to me on the edge of his bed. He looked awful. He was drenched with sweat and he was unnaturally pale. If I looked carefully enough I could see him shaking.

“Like in the Upside Down?” Mike asked.

Mike was pacing around Will’s room, his fingers lightly ran along the trails of drawings of Will’s tunnels. Apparently, that’s what he was seeing in what he called his ‘now memories’.

“Some of him is there,” Will said, his eyes never leaving the wall. “But some of him is here, too.”

“Like, in the house?” I asked gently, and Will flinched.

Maybe because I hadn’t spoken in a while.

He looked to me for a brief moment but refused to meet my eyes.

“In this house and…” he looked away. “in me. It’s like… it’s like he’s reaching into Hawkins more and more. And the more he spreads, the more connected to him I feel.”

Mike had taken a seat on the other side of Will.

“The more you see these now-memories.” Will nodded at Mike’s words, his eyes still fixed on the floor.

“Is there anything else you can tell us? About these now-memories?” I ask gently.

Will begins fidgeting, he squirmed a bit and it almost seemed like he was inching away from me. I brushed it off.

“At first I just felt it in the back of my head. I didn’t even know it was really there. It’s like when you have a dream and you can’t remember it unless you think really hard.” His voice was shaking, his hands were too.

“It was like that. But now it’s like…” His brows scrunched up, trying to find the right words. “Now I remember. I remember all the time.”

Mike and I shared an equally worried look, and Mike spoke up.

“Maybe… Maybe that’s good.”

“Good?“

I gave Mike a curious look.

"Just think about it,” He nodded, looking between the two of us. “You’re like a spy now. A superspy. Spying on the shadow monster.”

I could have sworn I saw Will give me an uncomfortable side look. He was getting squirmy again. I tried to act like I didn’t see it, but I couldn’t help but pick up on his odd behavior towards me.

“If you know what he’s seeing and feeling,” Another glance. “Maybe that’s how we can stop him.”

I smiled slightly at Mike’s words. He had a point, and I looked at all the pictures around us. Of the now-memories. I nodded eagerly, looking from Mike to Will. Subconsciously, I must have angled myself to face Will more, I realized.

“Mike makes a good point, Will. Maybe all of this is happening for a reason.”

Will contemplated this for a short moment, but then he looked to Mike.

“You really think so?”

That was more difficult to brush off. For some unknown reason, I felt embarrassed. But mostly sad. I looked down at my lap, and tried to mask my hurt I looked back at Mike. The empathetic look on his face told me he didn’t understand Will’s cold shoulder to me either, but he played it off quickly and nodded at Will.

“Yeah. Yeah, I do,” He gestured to me. “We both do. Right Y/n?”

I smile gratefully, and I turned to Will. “Absolutely,”

He flinched ever so slightly at my voice. I felt my heart breaking more, but I tried to shove my feelings aside. This isn’t about me, this is about Will and being there for him. I can’t imagine what this must be like. So what if he was a little irritable? I would be too.

But I couldn’t stop myself from wondering.

‘Why wasn’t he like this with anyone else?’

I pulled myself from my thoughts, and I noticed Will looking down at his drawing of the shadow monster, and I did too. Just knowing this is exactly what Will saw, made everything more chilling than it already was.

And just looking at the drawing reminded me this thing was with us in a way. I was glaring at it now. I’m mad, no, livid. That this thing attached itself to Will.

Will was grave, he looked and sounded terrified - not that I blame him.

“What if he figures out we’re spying on him?” I heard him sniffle, and his voice was trembling just as much as he was. “What if he spies back?”

I know it’s crazy but at that moment he sounded more like the Will I know than he had in all the time we had been here.

“He won’t,” I said determinedly.

He met my eye for a split second. It was the first time he had properly acknowledged me since I got here and I could have sworn his eyes were filled with warning. I brushed it off, writing it off as a misconception. I was much too focused on his shaking hand.

“He won’t. We won’t let him, I won’t let-”

Instinctively, I grabbed his trembling hand, hoping to calm him as I have done countless times. But my palm had barely grazed him and immediately he ripped his hand away, grasping it in his other.

I jumped back startled.

His whole body was shaking visibly, and he stared at his hand, before slowly looking up to meet my eyes. He was glaring at me as of I had just slapped him in the face, and he cradled his hand.

“W-Will,? Are you okay, I’m sorry-” I tripped over my words, now more embarrassed than ever. “Look, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean-”

“Get out,” he whispered.

My mouth ran dry and I frowned in confusion. I looked desperately to Mike who seemed just as shocked.

“What-?” My voice came out in a broken whisper, and now I was beginning to tremble.

“I said get out”

I flinched, and I rose to my feet quickly. I backed away towards his door. Tears clouded my vision and I wished I could leave faster but my limbs felt like they were made of lead. I guess I wasn’t going fast enough because he began shouting at me.

“GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE!”

Mike now had a firm grip on Will’s shoulders. Looking frantically between us, and ready to hold Will back in case he lunged for me.

“What’s going on?”

The voice of Mrs. Byers brought me out of my stupor and I looked to her, apologetically. I was now in the hallway, and she had just reached Will’s door. She glanced between me and Will frantically.

I quickly backed away, stumbling a bit. I tried to find the words to explain, but all I could muster an apology.

“I-I’m sorry,” I croaked, walking backward. “Sorry,”

I turned and fled through the living room, grabbing my backpack off the couch and ran through the open door.

||3rd Person POV||

“What happened? W-what was that?” Joyce asked, kneeling down in front of her son.

Mike had let go, but Will was burning holes in the doorway through which Y/n had disappeared. He neglected to speak so Mike volunteered.

“She just touched his hand, and he- I guess she-?” He tried to find more words but he seemed hesitant to speak in front of Will.

Mrs. Byers stood and beckoned Mike into the hall with her.

Once they were around the corner, he immediately began speaking rapidly in a hushed whisper.

“She didn’t do anything, Mrs. Byers, I swear! I saw the whole thing. She just grabbed his hand, he was shaking a lot and I guess she was just trying to comfort him or something. But he snapped, he just flipped out on her, I don’t-” he sighed, glancing worriedly after her.

Joyce nodded and ran after Y/n. She wanted to talk to her and get her to stay. She knew how much Y/n cared for Will, and how she would never do anything to upset him on purpose.

Joyce dashed out of the open door, she had already noticed Y/n’s stuff was gone. But by the time she reached the porch, Y/n was peddling down the driveway. She rounded the bushes and disappeared into the night.

Back in Will’s room, Mike stood before his best friend.

“Will…” Mike shook his head slightly, at a loss for words. “What was that?”

Will, who still had his eyes fixed on the doorway, slowing looked up at Mike. He seemed different. Angrier.

When he spoke, Mike felt a chill run down his spine. Will’s voice held no emotion and he seemed distant. And cold.

Not himself.

“It needed to be said, Mike. She needed to leave,” he said, his eyes boring into Mike, suddenly very still.

What he said next only confirmed the fact he was not himself.

“She got in his way.”

Will paused and slowly looked away, blinking a couple of times. He stared at the wall for a moment, and he seemed to return to normal like he was pulled out of a long thought. He glanced back at Mike who was staring at him in shock.

Will had a saw the shock on Mike’s face and he tilted his head slightly in confusion.

“What?”

×××

Y/n sped down Mirkwood, tears streaming down her cheeks. Her bike was unsteady, her hand frequently returning to her face, wiping her nose on her sleeve.

She replayed the moment in head over and over and over, never completely understanding what happened. What she had done wrong.

All she could think about was how he looked at her. With disgust. How repulsed he was. More sobs escaped her and she scolded herself. She didn’t know why. She just felt so… ashamed.

Why? She wondered. She hadn’t done anything wrong, that she knew. But it did nothing to ease the pain in her heart.

Something in the back of her mind thought that her bike handles were harder to grip. Wet? She didn’t know, she hardly acknowledged it, much too distressed to worry about it.

“GET THE HELL OUT OF MY HOUSE”

The words echoed loudly in her head and Y/n felt her heart break in two, all over again.

Will never spoke to her like that. Hell, he never yelled at all, much less at her. He was always so soft-spoken and gentle. And so kind. That’s what she liked about him. But this was different.

Her hands slipped a few times from the handles but she just grabbed them once more.

No matter what she told herself, a voice in her head fed her ridiculous lies.

It was completely inappropriate to have grabbed his hand. Invade his space like that. It shouldn’t be a surprise to her, the voice argued. He was clearly uncomfortable around her, flinching and constantly moving away from her. He clearly didn’t want to see her. After all, if he did, he would have confided in her in the first place. Not Mike.

But she invited herself over here, against his wishes, and inserted herself. He had every right to yell at her. She was selfish.

No. No, that’s not what happened at all, she told herself. She did what he would have done for her, she was just trying to help. She wasn’t being selfish.

Y/n was so absorbed in her thoughts, she nearly missed her house. The flickering of her bike light brought her out of her thoughts and back to her surroundings. She realized she had already passed the driveway. In a panicked attempt not to miss, she jerked the oddly slippery handles, much too quickly and she was thrown onto the grass. She lost her balance and crashed her bike, tumbling across her lawn landing on her stomach.

She was panting heavily, recovering from the small shock. Her arms trembled as she tried to push herself up but she winced. She had landed on her elbow weird and it was sore now. Y/n cried out in frustration at the incident. Just what she needed, she thought. Another reason to feel humiliated and stupid. She was still crying, but she pushed herself up and onto her knees.

She sniffled, and her eyes fell right where her hands just were. There in the grass was two singed and charred spots, in the shape of two perfect handprints.

She gasped softly. Once again, she had somehow burned something with the touch of her hands. A horrible thought struck her.

What if that’s why Will snapped at her? She obviously couldn’t control her recently discovered power, but what if she seriously hurt him?

She shook her head, more tears brimming in her eyes and she rose to her feet and sprinted inside. Her mother called after her but she sprinted down the hall, and into her room slamming the door behind her.

She dove onto her bed and her body bounced a bit when she hit the mattress. It wasn’t until she placed her head on her pillow had Y/n realized how exhausted she was.

That must have been what happened. It was the only explanation, right? She must have gotten herself all worked up again - that’s when it always seemed to happen. When she was angry.

She began slipping in and out of consciousness, but she realized something that didn’t quite make sense.

Aside from the concern for her friend, she was perfectly calm when talking to him. Not angry.

And with that, she felt herself sinking into the depths of unconsciousness.

×××

With cautious steps, Hopper navigated the underground tunnels. The small beam from his flashlight traveled along the grey grimy walls of the tunnels, and hundreds of little dead flakes hung in the air around him.

A sharp piercing screech echoed off the walls and Hopper winced, pulling out his gun. His flashlight and gun in hand, he scanned his surroundings only to find nothing but his odd surroundings. Still, at attention and on defense, he continued on.

He had to step over several bumps and roots in the tunnel, but when he turned the corner his courage faltered. A sudden hiss, similar to the screech heard moments before, traveled through the tunnels. Hopper attempted to calm his breathing, doing his best to ignore the flakes entering his lungs with every labored breath.

The farther he ventured into the tunnels, the more death and decay hung in the air. His attention was suddenly drawn to the ceiling of the tunnels where another hiss emanated from. This, he realized, was the source of the noise. It was a large plant, slightly bigger than his own head, growing out of the wall. It moved suddenly inward as if taking a deep breath.

Without warning, the pod spits hundreds of spores, and Hopper recoiled at the sudden burst of spores raining down on him. Hopper fell into a heavy coughing fit and he stumbled back into the wall, cringing at its slimy texture. Unfortunately, he looked up just in time to be blasted by another cloud of spores where a smaller plant was attached to the wall.

Fighting the urge to gag, he turned and fled down the passage, hoping to find his way back. Though the more he moved, the weaker he began to feel. He stopped for a moment, still clutching the slippery tunnel walls to the best of his ability, and he noticed his vision had begun to blur.

He rubbed his eyes with his sleeves but it was all for naught, and he collapsed to the floor. The last thing he saw before he fell into unconsciousness, was the entrance to the tunnels he had created, weaving itself shut, swallowing him in darkness.

+++

Tag List: @dickkwad @aimee-lucass @iblesstherainsdown-in-africa@miscellaneoustoasts @strangerxhunters @happyandlonely-blog @missmulti @youpi-chan @peeperparkour @ba-responds @bibliophilesquared

Let me know if you want to be added!

#stranger things #stranger things x reader #stranger things 2 #stranger things rewrite #will byers x reader #noah schnapp #y/n Henderson #dig dug #dig dug pt.1 #jim hopper #joyce byers #mike wheeler #will byers

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alias-b · 4 years

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Without The Lights~ Billy Hargrove x OC Camille Harper

Chapter 6: Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)

A/N: More S2! The Billy&Steve fight //sigh. Our boy really fucks up and Camille does not take that shit. TW: violence, assholes, death, and nods to antisemitism.

“Car is too far away and…oh, shit. A payphone.” Camille raced down toward an old train stop, worn down. She slipped a coin in while the group chatted behind her. “C’mon, c’mon.”

“Hello?” Her mother’s voice sounded on the other end.

“Ah, mom. Sorry, I forgot to say, I got…invited to stay out later. I’m going to a movie.” Camille caught her bloodied nose and mouth in the glass.

“Of course, don’t stay too late.”

“Where is dad?”

“Work, the lab stole him from us again today. Poor thing. Thought about bringing him dinner, I could sneak it to him on the first floor.”

“Something wrong there?” Camille urged.

“Oh, no, I’m sure. You know how they keep him busy.” Her mother paused when she scoffed.

“Oh, I know.” Fingers gripped the phone before she found a thought. Harper Sixx. Named after Camille. Her stomach clenched unpleasantly, voice cracking when realization washed over her. Her home life was over. “Mom, I gotta go.”

“Is something wrong?”

“No, I’ll be home late. I just…” Camille’s voice grew thick. “Goodbye.” She smacked the receiver down and scrambled for more change, pushing it in. “Fuck, fuck fuck.”

“Hello?”

“Mrs. Hargrove, can I speak to Billy?” There was a scuffle before she caught the sounds of a silent struggle.

“Yea, uh… One moment… Please, stop it,” Susan had begged. Camille heard a smack. Skin on skin. Billy gave a whimper when Neil pushed the phone into his hands.

“It’s your greedy Jew whore. You know what to tell her. Don’t you try to come home without Maxine.” Camille heard as if Neil wanted her too. Billy sniffled into the receiver and cleared his throat. Behind her, Steve tugged but she waved him off.

“Harpy,” he tried to sound level and she didn’t. Shaken and frantic.

“Billy!” She made the solid attempt to breathe like it would lower her tone. “Ah, so, um…look we need to raincheck tonight. I can’t make it. Something came up and I…I have to take care of something. Important stuff. I’ll explain…later. Um, I gotta go-”

“Whoa, wait.” He heard someone urging behind her. “Who is with you?”

“No one. I’m sorry, I-”

“Max is missing.” He cut in.

“Max is missing…I,” Camille eyed Max’s fearful expression. The little girl shook her head quickly. “I’m sorry I haven’t seen her. She’s probably with Mike and them, you know?” She winced, not wanting to give him reason to be more upset.

“She isn’t supposed to be... Okay, you’re sounding off.” He pressed. “If this about my disappearing that morning, I-”

“No!” She squeaked and Steve pulled at her arm. “It’s not that, I just…I just…” She closed her eyes. “I started my period, whole big mess of cramps! Crime scene. Really bad stuff down there, you’ll want to steer clear. We’ll go another time! Bye, Billy!” She slammed the phone down.

“Ew…” Came the chorus from the children behind her.

“I hate you guys,” she rubbed her head and Steve was snickering. It earned him a punch in the shoulder. “Stuff it. I had to think of something.”

“I think it worked. Come on, you know we’ll never reach the others by phone at this point. We’re scattered… Stupid walkie isn’t even working. We have to keep going. Crime scene.” Steve was still laughing so they continued on down the tracks. Screeching echoed in the distance, causing them to run toward it.

“Why are we headed toward the sounds?!” Max hurried up behind them. Flashlights kept them going until they hit a cliff.

“I don’t see them.” Dustin spoke.

“It’s the lab,” Lucas realized. The building grew pitch black. Something was wrong. “They were going back home.” Camille’s body chilled.

“My father is there.” She was already headed down, through dirt and thrush. The others followed after. Silence filled the space around them until they got closer.

“Who’s there?” A familiar voice echoed.

“Jonathan!” Camille waved her light in the air.

“Camille?” He realized before the others came out. Nancy paced beside him.

“Steve?”

“Nancy?”

“What are you doing here?” Nancy rushed forward. Camille didn’t know why, she came and hugged her. Arms lifted, unsure, before Nancy was embracing her friend back.

“It’s just good to see you.” Camille sighed, sniffling. Her friend lifted a hand to her cheek.

“What happened to your face? The blood, it’s exactly like-”

“Eleven.” Lucas nodded.

“Really true, huh.”

“Ah, it’s been a night,” Camille huffed. “Monster hunting. Or…chasing.”

“What are you two doing here?” Steve came up behind them with the kids.

“We’re looking for Mike and Will.” Nancy answered and Dustin frowned.

“They’re not in there, are they?”

“We’re not sure.” She stopped when that horrid screeching echoed like wails. Camille came forward, freezing cold.

“Give me a boost.”

“That is not happening,” Steve was at her right while Jonathan fought with the gate switch.

“Power still isn’t…” he slammed buttons and Nancy gasped, calling out.

“It’s back!” They all stilled to watch the lights come on from the ground up. “We’ll go get them.”

“I’m coming too.” Camille hurried to get into the car.

“Steve, watch them.” Nancy raced after and Jonathan sped them up the hill once the gate opened. Camille felt her heart pound, ripping open the car door to get closer at the same time Hopper came out with Will limp in his arms and Mike next to him.

“Chief Hopper!”

“Didn’t stay home like I asked.” He let her take Will and hand him off to Jonathan. Nancy rushed to Mike, checking to see him over.

“Come on,” Jonathan called.

“Bob is still in there!” Jim held a rifle in hand, waiting with Joyce at the door.

“So is my father. His office is first floor, I don’t know which one.” Camille came to Hopper. “Did you see him?”

“No, not since those things came at us. Hey!” He grabbed her arm before she could run off. “You’ll die if you get near one, Camille.”

“Let go! I have to see his face!” She fought, rounding the building to see into the first floor. She banged on glass, calling out for him. Broken and bloody windows. Bodies littered the floors. “Dad!” She raged at the same time a person crashed into the window at the end corner. Light poured out when the blinds fell. Bloodied and bruised, she saw him. Noah called her name and pounded. Camille felt herself slow. Everything she ever wanted to ask. Wanted to know. It all died.

Calm for the first time since this nightmare began, Camille watched his eyes. He touched the glass, badly wounded so she put her hand where his was. Nothing. Blood smeared her fingers from her face and he cried out to get to her. Camille didn’t try to help him break the glass while something pounded at the door. Hopper was racing toward her in time to see her trace those three numbers in blood.

006.

Noah stepped back, face falling. Horrified at the realization. She pressed her lips and glared, readied to let him die while his daughter looked at him with betrayal in her eyes. Those eyes watched hope die too. Those eyes would be the last he ever saw. This world was bright red now. Behind him, the door crashed open at the same time Hopper grabbed her arm to jerk her away. She fought long enough to watch it happen; world in slow motion. A demogorgon lunged at the man who raised her, tearing flesh from bone. And it was done.

“Get in the car!” Jim pushed her into his Blazer sitting out front before he went to yell at the others. Joyce waited until she saw Bob, relieved when he looked at her. Unconditional love. Monsters lunged at him from all sides and Joyce screamed. Camille watched from the car, terrified. Jim forced Joyce out of there, Mike got her into the car with Nancy and Jonathan to take off. Jim pushed his gun into Camille’s hands and sped after them.

“The others…they’re at the gates.” She croaked, setting the weapon aside with a blank expression.

“Let’s go!” Jim called when Camille got the door open to push the kids into the back seat. She ripped Steve in to join them. They sped away from Hawkins lab and she felt herself lose it. Camille dunked her head out the open window to vomit

“Hey, hey. It’s okay,” Steve rubbed her back from the seat behind her. The car jerked to follow Jonathan’s and she fell back into Hopper in tears. Camille clung to him, arms winding around his bicep to let her grief out. For her real parents. For herself. For those other children like her. For a man that still might have loved her. Jim watched her unhinge and let her cling, one of her hands found his. He thought of Eleven again and squeezed it tighter. Something reassuring in it to let her know she was alive still.

“Give her a moment,” Jim was quieter. “You stay with us, Camille. Just breathe.”

** ** **

It took Steve and Max both to pull her off Jim and get her out of the car. Shaken and far away, Camille let them take her into the Byers’s house.

“In here,” Jonathan offered his room and Nancy helped get her friend to lie down. She curled into a tiny ball.

“Let her rest.” Jim came to the door.

“She’s drained. Just like El.” Dustin added. “She needs to recharge.” Steve touched her face.

“Hey, we got you, Cam.” He offered while Nancy petted her hair down. Camille closed her eyes and let them all fade away. It had to be an hour or so. That awful phone trilling and a crash brought her up. A headache pounded still and she groaned, shaking like a leaf. This was too much. Too fast. Hopper burst in, hand grasping for her wrist.

“They know where we are!” He tugged and Camille jolted back to life. “Stay away from the windows!” Came the next warning before he tried to get her to hide in another room.

“I’m fighting!” Camille pushed at his chest and he puffed. “These things…that lab. Destroyed my life and others. I’m fighting!” She caught Joyce’s eyes and the mother gave Hopper a nod. Camille took her place in the living room with Steve to usher the kids behind her.

“Can you use this?” Jim held a rifle to Jonathan but Nancy stepped forward.

“I can,” she took it. Anyone with weapons got them at the ready when that screeching echoed beyond the windows. Camille lifted her hands to recall these newfound forces inside her. The growling cut when a loud thud crashed. “What are they doing?” Tears threatened Camille’s eyes again so she stepped in front of Joyce and Jonathan. A hand squeezed her shoulder.

“It’s going to be okay,” Joyce, who lost the man she loved and whose son was at risk, instead comforted a brave teenager before her. Camille reached with a trembling hand to lace their fingers. Steve and Nancy stepped forward, gun and bat in hand. Another crash smashed a dead demodog into the windows. The Party cried out, scrambling.

“Holy shit!”

“Is it dead?” Questions died when the door creaked, locks undoing themselves. A little girl stepped through the opening. Brave beyond her own years. Blood trickled from her nose and Camille realized it as Mike inched forward, speaking.

“Eleven.” She watched Mike and Eleven embrace in tears.

“I never gave up on you.” Mike began. “I called you every night. Every night for-”

“Three hundred and fifty three days. I heard.” She breathed.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were there? That you were okay?”

“Because I wouldn’t let her,” Hopper admitted, coming to El to kiss her head and bring her under one arm. “Where the hell have you been?”

“Where have you been?” She’d shot back.

“You’ve been hiding her.” Mike realized. “You’ve been hiding her this whole time!” He pushed at Jim hard, causing the older man to spin.

“Hey!” Jim grabbed Mike by the front. “Let’s talk. Alone.” He ushered the upset little boy away into another room. Camille watched El greet her lost loved ones. Max tried to interact but was met awkwardly.

“Hey,” Dustin came to tug at Camille’s sleeve. “Eleven, you should meet our new friend.”

“Well, old friend, but new to the party. You guys have something in common.” Lucas added. El observed the pretty teen, head cocking. They both looked a little worse for wear. “This is Camille.”

“She was there too.” Nancy crossed her arms to hold herself. Eleven reached carefully toward the shaken teen before her. Camille let her take her hand and pull the sleeve up to see the scar. Her big eyes lifted in question.

“They burned it off. I am Six.” Saying it so firm felt huge. Camille didn’t even get to explain before this little girl was hugging her. As if she knew everything already. Arms went tight around her ribs so she could press close. Camille felt herself break again, hands lifting so she could give back what this girl had just given her. Comfort. Empathy. A sister. Camille dropped to her knees and they hugged properly.

“It…It is okay.” Eleven felt her new friend grow emotional and petted her hair. “What do you do?” Camille sniffled when little hands cupped her face to wipe tears.

“I see things and I remember…and I mimic. Like a perfect photograph in my head.”

“She’s like a copy cat.” Dustin explained. “And…”

“This too.” Camille lifted her hand and a toy car came up to her palm. El’s eyes went wide before she followed, beckoning the object to her fingers next. It was the first Camille smiled so full and content in a while. She wasn’t alone in the world. Not one bit. Hands lifted so she could wipe El’s nose on her sleeve and stand.

“Can I see him?” Eleven asked after. Joyce took her to Will in the next room. Camille came to the table to see a message. Close gate.

“What is this?”

“The Mind Flayer…that’s what they’re calling it. It has Will. It's using him to spy like a host.” Nancy explained. “It’s like a huge hive mind. If we destroy it…we think we can destroy all of them. But, we need to save Will too.”

“You’ve opened this gate before, right?” Joyce came in with El to point.

“Yes.”

“Do you think if we got you back there, that you could close it?” The Party grouped to circle the table.

“It’s not like it was before,” Hopper came out with Mike still upset behind him. “It’s grown. And that’s even if we get in there…that lab is crawling with those-”

“I can do it.” El grew more confident.

“Will is the host, if we close the gate…he’ll die.” Mike added.

“He likes it cold…” Joyce recalled, coming to the group. “Maybe we can burn it out of him.” The plan formed all at once. The Party readied back at the cars and split again. Joyce, Nancy, and Jonathan took one car with Will while Hopper and El neared his Blazer.

“You stay with Steve and the kids.” Jim came to Camille and she gave a solemn nod. “I’ll protect you after this. We all have to look out for each other. Stay out of sight.”

“I let him die.” She whispered to the night air. Jim’s hand was on her shoulder again.

“You know what that lab will do if they get you back, Camille? It wasn’t your fault, what happened.” He was honest. “You wanted to fight so you keep it up. Doing well so far.”

“You protected Eleven. Thank you.” She lifted her gaze and bid goodbyes when the two cars sped away. “You okay?” She caught Steve’s expression.

“I let her go.” He nodded. “She’s happy.”

“I’m proud of you,” Camille tipped her head to his shoulder. “Come on. Let’s go inside.” She ushered Lucas, Mike, Dustin, and Max back in.

“Why didn’t she like me?” Max whispered.

“She’ll warm up.” Camille assured her. “I like you. Steve, what are you…?” Dustin was emptying the fridge while Steve wrapped up the dead demodog.

“For science,” Dustin shrugged.

“Ugh…gross. Nevermind.” Camille helped them tidy glass from the floor while the two boys stuffed the monster in the fridge. Mike’s pacing was helping no one’s nerves. As they bickered about plans, Camille went down the hall to grab the bat with nails from the floor.

“Maybe we can draw them away from the lab to protect El and Hopper.” Max spoke when she came back to the living room, propping the bat aside.

“And clear a path to the gate.” Mike added, encouraged.

“Yeah, then we all die.” Steve held a rag in hand and tossed out his arms.

“Well, that’s one point of view.”

“Uh, no, that’s a fact,” Steve turned to Dustin. Mike was pacing around toward an X on the tunnels covering the walls.

“This is where the Chief dug a hole…this is our way into the tunnels.”

“That’s how they got around? Tunnels under Hawkins?” Camille shook her head and tapped her chin. “This thing hates fire.” The kids picked up on her thought.

“We set one, the Mind Flayer would call away his army.”

“Leaving it open for El to close the gate.”

“Even she agrees with us, Steve, you’re outnumbered,” Dustin grinned.

“Yeah, this is a big no.” Steve came to the middle of the floor. “I promised to keep you shitheads safe and that’s exactly what I’m going to do. We stay here.” Another sound echoed outside. Light pulled toward the windows. A charging like a car engine. Max recognized it first.

“It’s my brother.” She pressed to the window. Billy's Camaro skidded to a stop just outside. “He’ll kill me… He’ll kill us.” Steve looked to Camille and she nodded, waving the kids to duck.

“Steve. Get rid of him, it’s not safe.” She pressed near the door with him. “Damn it, Billy, what are you doing here?”

“Stay here,” Steve went out alone. Billy looked amused, a fresh cigarette between his lips. Two kings faced off.

“Am I dreaming, or is that you, Harrington?” Billy tossed his jacket over the hood of his car. Cigarette in hand when he laughed, fully unhinging himself now. He licked his lips and Steve was flat.

“It’s me. Don’t cream your pants.” Steve watched him slam the door. They came to each other.

“What are you doing here, amigo? “

“I could ask you the same question... Amigo.” Steve brought himself higher. Tension etched the air. Camille listened through the crack in the door.

“I’m looking for my stepsister. A little bird told me she was here,” Billy blew smoke in Steve’s face.

“Huh. That’s weird. Don’t know her.”

“Small. Redhead. Bit of a bitch.” Billy was revved up about something. Camille glared at the floor and looked to the kids, waving them down again.

“Yeah…that’s not ringing a bell. Sorry, buddy.” Steve went on. Billy didn’t let this down. Something rattled under his skin.

“You know. This whole situation, I don’t know, Harrington, I don't know…it’s giving me the heebie-jeebies.” Billy gestured, eyes sly and steady. Tongue slipped out over teeth.

“Yeah? How’s that?” Steve was undaunted.

“My thirteen-year-old sister is missing all day. Then, I find her with you…at a stranger’s house…and…you lie to me about it.” Billy almost sounded amused, that low baritone rumbled.

“Dude. Were you dropped too much as a child or what? I don’t know what you don’t understand about what I said: She’s not here.” Steve’s shoulders rose. Billy sniffed, scratching his nose before he gestured to the window with his smoke.

“Yeah, okay, then who is that?”

“Get down.” Camille hissed when the four kids dropped. But, it was too late. He’d seen them.

“Listen, man…” Steve began. “I can explain-” He hitched a breath but Billy shoved him to the ground hard. He leaned over, hand resting on his belt buckle to tower over Steve.

“Thought I told you to plant your feet.”

“Billy!” Camille caved, smacking the door open. He lifted his eyes to see her. Betrayed at first. Acceptance followed. That manic sort of grim acceptance she knew too well. Camille stepped out a ways and paused. He smiled with teeth and flicked his burning cigarette on Steve. Jerking, Steve swept it off, scooting backwards. “Stop it.”

“Well, if it isn’t the girl who cried uterus!” He clapped his hands. She looked a mess. “Here with mighty King Steve. King and Queen together. Only fitting. You look rough. Poor queen bee with all the drones at her feet. Fucking idiots who thought she’d given them the time of day. Praised be her royal highness, rich girl. He do that to you? We finally getting a glimpse of the real King of Hawkins? And I thought he'd gone soft.”

"Enough, it isn't-"

"Enough? I'm just starting, Harpy. What, did you meet up with a friend to...try something? Hm? Poor dying drones eating themselves to taste your sweet, sweet honey. It's all you have to give people, they're nothing to you." Billy didn’t drop his gaze from her own and charged his foot into Steve’s stomach to knock the air from him. Like he was rubbing it in. The baritone seethed now. “They all fall down.”

“Billy!” Camille didn’t think, she just rushed forward to push him off. Billy gripped her wrist and fell into the hood of his car. All dressed up for their date. “You don’t know what’s going on!"

"Oh, I don't?" His grip grew painful, face inches from her own. "Spin me another sob story, Camille. I dare you. Spoiled rotten. Greedy little rich bitch. Lies, lies, all the fucking lies. You're just like me, bee. A user. Making the rounds."

"Greedy?" Camille's cheeks heated. She jabbed back. "You get that from your daddy?" Billy jerked her closer, hissing. "I'm not the only mockingbird." Steve was trying to drag himself in an effort to help his friend.

"Shut the fuck up." He shook her so Camille pushed him into his car. A dangerous smile crept over his lips; her friend vanished. The jackal and the fox. "There's my rough and tumble, girl."

"Get the fuck out of here. This isn’t what it looks like, Billy, just go home. It isn’t safe. Get your shit together, I'll explain later. But, you need to go right now. You need to fucking leave.”

“Not what it looks like?" Hands clamped around her wrists again. "We’ll see about that. Shall we?” He dragged her toward the house while Steve struggled to get his breath. Camille beat at his arm to let go. The door slammed open, his grip like iron. “Explain this! Oh, Lucas Sinclair. What a surprise.” Max was petrified. Billy shoved Camille aside when she pushed at him again. She tripped and toppled to the floor, eyes lifting. For a moment, he saw his mother there. Cowering. Mike and Dustin rushed to help her while he zeroed in on Max with Lucas at her side.

“Billy, stop it!” She watched him reel further. Red.

“I thought I told you to stay away from him.” He was vibrating with rage. Neil consumed him all at once.

“Billy, go away,” Max stepped to him, terrified. Camille stumbled to her feet.

"You're letting him win." She offered, softer. Billy seized up at that, fists clenched. He pressed forward into red waters.

“You disobeyed me. And you know what happens when you disobey me.” Billy threatened. Camille finally saw him for what he was. Awful. “I break things.” Billy grabbed for Lucas to shove him back into a bookcase. Items scattered. Lucas kicked and struggled before Camille wedged to get between them, the kids behind her began to yell. Overlapping in the chaos.

“Get off!” Lucas raged, Billy held him steady.

“Stay away from her!”

“Billy, he’s just a kid!” Camille was beating on him and tugging. “Let him go! He’s a child!”

“Get off me!” Lucas brought his knee up into Billy’s crotch, stunning him. Camille pushed and Billy was thrown back by force. Hands outstretched and he hit the door. Blue eyes widened at her. The freak.

“Get the fuck away from him!” She planted herself in front of Lucas. Billy thought of his mother again. Leaving even when he tried so hard to stand between her and Neil. Why wasn’t he enough? And Neil had finally beaten him down to size tonight.

“Queen has more tricks... Oh, Sinclair, you’re dead!” Billy was on his feet. “You are so dead!”

“No, you are,” Steve found his fight and whirled Billy around to land a fist into his jaw. Billy dropped like a sack of bricks into the table. He smiled with bloodied teeth, impressed and gone. Camille shoved Lucas toward his friends to protect them. Billy stumbled like a drunk on his feet.

“I see you got some fire in you after all, huh?!” He reeled with high laughter. Blood bubbled on his tongue. “I’ve been waiting to meet this ‘King Steve’ everyone’s been telling me so much about!”

“Get. Out.” Steve poked Billy in the chest. Undaunted, Billy paused. His eyes landed on Camille again. Looking at him like he was a monster. Fine. He swung to hit Steve, missing. Steve rushed at him, landing solid punches until they backed into the counter.

“Get him! Kill him!” The children egged Steve to fight. Billy laughed and laughed between hits, grasping a plate to crash into Steve’s head. “Shit! Billy! Steve!”

“Kick his ass!” Lucas called as Camille kept pushing the kids back and away. Billy stalked like a predator when Steve couldn’t recover quick enough, ripping him up to get in his face.

“No one tells me what to do.” He smashed their heads together and threw Steve to the floor. “Whoo!” The high consumed him.

“Billy, stop!” Max was screaming. Steve fell against the ground after trying to get up, both boys bloodied. Billy came to straddle him, unleashing years and years of repressed rage upon the King of Hawkins High. Camille lunged again, arms around Billy’s neck to stop him. Adrenaline charged. She beat on him. Pulled his hair. Teeth came down into his shoulder and he wailed, grabbing her dark locks to tear her off and shove her aside. She was gone too. Red. Red. Red. Abilities forgotten, she unleashed in turn. Fists pummeling and grabbing at him while he laid into Steve.

"Billy!" She screamed and screamed again, tearing him to the floor with force when the pressure built. Became too much. Blood spilled from her nose against his exposed chest. Billy screamed with her like it was all they could do now. He grabbed her arms, slamming her down into the hardwood. They both cut off, eyes wide to watch each other. Burning. Fingers dug into her shoulders. Something wet hit her face when his whole body quivered. A tear squeezed from his eyes. Billy bared his teeth and she just watched his eyes, readied to be consumed. In the heat of the moment, he didn't try to strike further. Instead, he dragged to go for Steve again. Camille threw herself on his back, tugging once more. Utter mayhem sent items all over the house.

“Look out!” Max, unable to take anymore, charged forth with a needle Joyce left behind. It stabbed into Billy’s neck at the same time Camille fell away. Breathing heavily, they all stilled. Billy stumbled to his feet while Camille pulled Steve’s bloodied form into her lap to check him out. His poor face was swollen all over. Billy hissed, blood all down his mouth and chin before he pulled the needle out.

“The hell is this…?” He dropped it aside, stepping toward Max when the world blurred. Camille propped Steve up and leapt to stand in front of Max. “You little shit…what did you…you…?”

“Stay away from her!” She crossed one arm over Max, backing her up. He watched her eyes, fear and anger. Hatred too. “You are just like him.” Truly disappointed, a fox tore the jackal apart instead and he let her. Realization twisted a knife into his gut. “Proud of it? I bet you that he would be.”

“Camille.” He puffed, hand lifting to grasp her arm blindly. Tried to stay steady. Wobbling, Billy fell backwards and slipped from her, legs splayed, against the floor. Another chuckle erupted as he shifted and tried to get up with no result. Max growled and yanked up the bat while Camille went to Steve again.

“From here on out, you’re going to leave me and my friends alone. Camille too! Neil is an asshole, but you didn’t have to be! Stay away from us! We owe you shit! I’m done! You hear me! Done! Do you understand?” She would not change him.

“Screw…you.” Billy licked his teeth, lost. Alone. Finally, his father. Max crashed the bat between his legs and his head lifted, eyes finally showing fear.

“Say you understand! Say it!” She screamed.

“Oh…kay…”

“I couldn’t hear you.”

“I under…stand.”

“What?”

“I understand…” Billy’s head lulled when he lost consciousness. He saw Camille’s eyes and was gone. Max tossed the bat aside, leaving the boys awed behind her.

“Steve, come on, stick with us.” Camille shook him while he shifted to whine.

“Let’s get out of here,” Max dug for Billy’s skull keychain, holding the key up.

“We can’t leave these two, help me out.” Camille got Steve into the car. He was barely conscious too, trying to flood back.

“Tell me why we’re taking the brick shithouse also?” Dustin groaned as they dragged Billy outside. Camille grabbed Billy’s brown bomber coat and put it on to block out the cold.

“He’ll be out for hours.” Camille shoved him into the car, buckling him before she climbed in back to help Steve. “I’ll drive.” She was ignored when Dustin got into back, squeezing on Steve’s other side. “Hey, what are you guys…? Oh, no. This is not happening.” Max took the wheel with Lucas and Mike next to her. “Wait!”

“I got this!” Max hit the gas hard. Camille was half on Billy while he limply rocked in his seat. Steve fell toward her so she cleaned his face. Max took hard turns with Lucas shouting directions. Gas sloshed in a tank Mike was holding. Steve roused with a whine and began to panic. Dustin went to calm him until the older teen was clinging to them both.

“Stop the car!”

“Everyone shut up!” Max roared, hammering the gas so they jerked into a field. Steve was screaming until they yanked to a stop, skidding along the dirt.

“We’re fine.” Max shrugged, shaking herself. “Told you guys. Zoomer.” They charged out, leaving Billy to sag in the backseat.

“You fucking asshole,” Camille whispered in his ear, following them to get items out of the truck. Goggles and bandanas. Gloves. Flashlights. Gas. Steve was still freaking out.

“This ends now!” He threw his hands up but, Camille was shoving gear into his arms.

“A party member requires our assistance,” Dustin was calm. “It’s our duty to provide it.” They came to the crater. Dustin put the bat in Steve’s hand. “Keep us safe.” Steve watched them and shook his head.

“I’ll go first.” He put on the gear and carefully dropped with Camille next. They helped the younger kids inside down a rope.

“The hell?” Camille looked around. Damp. Floating matter. It was practically another world. Haunted.

“Any of you little shits die down here, I’m getting blamed.” Steve took the lead, half amused. It set them somewhat as ease. Spores opened along the walls with fog. Camille edged to Steve’s right. “Come on,” they picked up the pace, “little hustle!”

“Here!” Mike bellowed as they dropped gas cans about, pouring it all over. Vines almost came alive.

“Get behind us,” Camille breathed easy and nodded to Steve.

“Alright, you guys ready?” He was met with agreement and flicked a lighter open.

“Light her up,” Dustin replied.

“I am in such deep shit.” Steve huffed.

“Get in line.” Camille stood taller. Steve tossed the flame forth, fire erupted before them. Vines whipped around with cries of agony.

“Go! Let’s go!” They backtracked toward the exit. “Run!” Harrowing screams bellowed all over. Mike was thrown down when a vine grabbed his ankle. Camille stomped it, yanking him to his feet. The group charged and skidded to a stop when a single demogod leered.

“Dart,” Dustin opened his arms. The creature stilled. “Trust me.” He went on when the group grabbed for him to stop. “Hey, Dart. Hey…it’s me, your friend, Dustin? Will you let us pass? You hungry?” Dustin dug out a candy bar from his pack. It was working. Dart didn’t try to attack them. “Good boy.” He set it down and they watched the creature instead go for it to eat. Sneaking around it, Dustin lingered after the group. “Bye, buddy.”

“Let’s go! Let’s go!” Steve led the party back to the entrance. Roars echoed behind them.

“The gate,” Camille gasped. “Go! Now!” They hoisted Max up the rope first. Steve and Camille got Lucas and Mike up next. The wails drew closer. Tunnels shaking when a stampede approached.

“Shit!” Dustin called.

“Go!” Steve pushed at Camille. Silhouettes raced in the distance. Closing in too fast.

“No! Not without you!” She lifted her arms on the defensive and Dustin got behind them. It was too late. Her eyes watered and she took Steve’s hand. “We’re good kids.” He sighed, bat at the ready.

“Yeah, we are.” They braced for the end when demodogs scurried and instead went around them. Frozen, Steve pulled Camille and Dustin close to him as each creature sprinted beyond the tunnel.

“Eleven.” Mike gasped above. Dustin was heaved to the surface and Steve pushed Camille up before she reached for him. The world spun, something changed. Headlights off Billy’s Camaro burned brighter, blinding them.

“She’s doing it,” Camille shielded her eyes. They blared and then dimmed. “What happened?”

“We won.” Mike came forward, eyes lifting to the sky. Relieved, the teens came in for a tight embrace. Camille looked to the stars and closed her eyes, air cleansed her skin. They burrowed together. She was home.

#billy hargrove #Billy hargrove x oc #billy hargrove fanfiction #billy hargrove fic #Billy hargrove fanfic #without the lights #billy x camille #Camille Harper #mine #writing

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elshopper · 6 years

Text

Something In Common

Fandom: Stranger Things

Rating: T, Canon Character Death

WC: 1,722

Summary:

The screams. The gunshots. The screeches. He heard Hopper’s voice; it was loud and booming. Reverberating off the cinder block wall and out to where he was holding Will up as best as he could. He couldn’t make out what Hopper was saying, but as loud as he was, Mike knew that Hopper, Mrs. Byers, and Bob needed to get out. Now.

Mike’s reaction and internal monologue during one of the most intense, slow-but-fast scenes in S2. Canon compliant. Bob’s death is included, but isn’t too terribly descriptive. This is my first work to ever post, so please read and review if you wanna!

Read below, or on AO3

The second he heard it, he knew what it was.

And the even more sickening feeling – the one that had made a home in the pit of his stomach the second Bob Newby began his mission – told him that Bob wasn’t with them anymore.

That feeling turned into an assumption when he saw Hopper all but carry Mrs. Byers out of the lab. It was happening slowly, but all at once. Like a weird dream where he was running as fast as he could, but always seemed to get nowhere.

“WHAT HAPPENED?” he yelled at no one in particular, still struggling holding up Will’s dead weight. He was the first to admit he wasn’t the strongest person, at least not physically. But he was doing his best.

His question – the one that tugged on his vocal chords and made his eyes water – was only answered by Mrs. Byers’s indiscernible wailing.

Both Hopper and Joyce’s attention seemed to be on the doors to the lab. Just as Mike followed Joyce’s gaze, three or four of those… things… scared the absolute shit out of him. They crashed their full bodyweight into the doors, cracking the glass further with each sickening hit. The doors shuddered under their force. They wouldn’t hold forever.

But Joyce was still fighting Hopper to get back in.

“HE’S GONE! HE’S GONE!”

That assumption from before shifted to fact in his mind.

Shit. No he’s not. We need him. He was Bob the Brain.

Out of the blue it seemed, Mike heard a car horn. His head whipped around, and he breathed a tiny sigh of relief when he saw Jonathan (and his sister?) screech to a halt in front of them. Hopper was scooping up Will, and it was time to make a move to get in the car and hightail it away from this hell hole. With the quickness of things, he didn’t have time to think about Bob, or the loss of him. He didn’t have time to ask questions. He didn’t have time to scream (although he felt like it).

“Come on, get in!” Jonathan yelled from the driver’s seat.

It took him what seemed like ages, but Mike felt himself move. The first move he made was to steal a glance through the glass doors into the lab. He didn’t know why. Maybe it was because he felt as though he owed it to Bob. Or maybe because he felt it was time for him to man up a little. It was truly terrifying, this reality. It was one he could only dream up on a lonely Saturday, scribbling notes for their next campaign. But this one was real, and happening all around him. All of his senses engaged, it struck him that this reality would never leave him for as long as he lived. He glanced.

Inside was Bob, being mauled by at least six of those things. Maybe seven. He was lifeless, and bloody – the beasts taking everything from him. Disregarding the person that he was, or what he meant to the people outside the doors they were still fighting so hard to break down. It was a quick glance, and as he turned away he felt his eyes water, and he swallowed some vomit that crept up the back of his throat.

Breaking his terrifying brush with the gory scene, Mrs. Byers clung to Mike almost immediately after Hopper lifted Will over his shoulder.

“Come on!”

“It’s okay, it’s okay, it’s okay,” Mike kept repeating to her, feeling a sharp shortness in his breath. Was it?

To the best of his ability, he pushed her in the direction of the car and helped her inside. Once he, Will, and Mrs. Byers were in the backseat, Hopper slammed the door and dashed off in the direction of his Blazer. Jonathan stepped on the gas. Mike stared numbly ahead at Jonathan’s headrest as Nancy tried to ask him a million questions, but he blocked them out. He was sure if he opened his mouth to say something, he’d color the backseat of Jonathan’s car with his lunch.

They sped ahead as Jonathan honked at… Lucas? Dustin? Max? Well, shit. And was that Steve? They jumped out of the way. As Jonathan stepped harder on the gas, he turned to see them all pile in the back of the Blazer through the back window.

Once it hit him that they were free from the lab, he let out a shaky “Woah,” and Jonathan and Nancy nodded in silent agreement. Joyce, however, was anything but silent.

Mrs. Byers was frantic. He couldn’t imagine it – he couldn’t fathom losing someone you love like that. To see them, right in front of you, and then to see them be taken. Gone. And even though Mike knew Mrs. Byers couldn’t have done anything to stop it, she probably felt the guilt and stabbing pain that followed a gruesome loss like the one he’d just seen. It was all too eerily familiar, and seemed like an odd case of déjà vu until the realization hit him in the gut with the force of something like a train.

If Bob couldn’t even get out, there’s no way. No way Eleven survived a year with those… those things.

A terrifying image flashed across his mind – one that would come to haunt him for the rest of his life – and he doubled over in his seat, truly battling the vomit this time. He understood this. This loss and terror and guilt and pain. Because he had felt it himself, about a year ago. It had been growing – festering – inside him all this time. Hope was the only thing keeping him trudging forward, like a little candle still glowing amidst a dark room. That candle had been keeping those terrible, dreadful feelings at bay for so long.

Eleven was a miracle, the very definition of one. And she was capable of performing them too, he’d seen it. These miracles, to him, had meant that extraordinary light existed in the darkest of places. But just now, doubled over in the back of Jonathan’s car, that little candle extinguished with a dull hiss.

Eleven was gone. Long gone. He had known this for a while, too. How foolish he’d been, all those days he spent calling to her on the radio. Or riding his bike around Mirkwood last winter. Or planning out what he would say to her when she finally stepped back through his basement door. He had planned to thank her for everything she did for them. Introduce her to Will, finally. Show her back to the fort of sheets he proudly kept up for her return (despite his mother’s griping). Hug her as tightly as he could – or as she would allow him – and explain to her what he was too chicken to say in the cafeteria last year.

But all of that was a stupid waste of time.

Eleven was gone, and so was Bob. And now, he had to make sure Mrs. Byers was okay. So they could save Will.

“Mrs. Byers,” he choked out. She looked at him, but her eyes looked vacant and sick. He had no idea what to say. What would he want someone to say to him?

“I’m really sorry,” he whisper-spoke, his voice cracking.

“Oh, sweetheart,” she managed to say in between shaky sobs. The vacancy in her eyes faded just a little. She moved her left arm around his shoulders and hugged him as she wiped at the stale tears that wet her cheeks with her free hand. “I’m sorry. You should have never had to see that.”

Her breathing was still sporadic, and every now and again she closed her eyes and held back a quiet sob. But she was doing her best to comfort a traumatized Mike as his eyes started to cloud with tears.

It was like her to put on a brave face around her kids, around him. She was selfless that way, she could tell how broken he was.

The entire car ride back to the Byers’ house, Jonathan’s car was full of sniffles, shallow breaths, and the comforting and low pulse of the songs on the radio. Not many words were spoken, but Joyce knew she had people to be strong for. They weren’t going to be able to help her son (sleeping limp to her right) if she was a complete mess. So, she forced all of that unstable energy to focus on being something solid for Mike to hold on to for the time being. How could she forget? He had lost someone too.

Despite the murky circumstance, Mike did feel as warm as he had in a long time. Will’s mom had always given great hugs. He could remember scraping his knee in Will’s front driveway, and Mrs. Byers wrapping him up in a big hug despite his hysterics. She bandaged him up and sent him back out to play with Will again. Healed.

He wasn’t surprised she was trying to do the same thing now. Although this wound was different from a bloodied knee, and the stinging pain never seemed to die this time, they were bearing it together. They all were.

“Bob,” Mike started. Nancy stirred in the front seat to look at him through the rearview mirror. Mrs. Byers glanced over, her incessant arm-rubbing coming to a stop. She looked as though wasn’t ready to hear Bob’s name out loud just yet, but she endured it like Bactine spray on a flesh wound.

“I don’t know how we’re going to do this without him,” Mike concluded.

Mrs. Byers didn’t say anything – just a brief nod of the head - but she looked at Mike with understanding and solidarity. The look made him capable of taking a deep breath and swallowing that lack of faith that had just cracked the surface. She was with him.

They did have something in common, after all.

AN:

Hi, thank you for reading!

I had this sitting on my computer for what seemed like forever, but I’m weirdly proud of it and thought it would be a shame if no one ever read it… so here it is! I know it’s sad, but thinking that Mike had lost all that hope only hours before makes El’s return all the more gratifying to me… idk.

I got the idea from the scene where Max is talking to Mike about El and he says, “Until that thing got her” (hence why I use the word things to refer to the demo-dogs in Mike’s mind) and it struck me as Mike seeing the demo-dogs killing so many people, including Bob, kind of confirmed to him that they may have gotten El too.

To give complete credit, the idea for this struck me when I was reading an anonymous ask about this scene someone sent in to @themikewheelers a while ago. I wish I could find the exact post, but I don’t have any idea how long its been. I live for her analysis of the show, though, so its worth a mention!!

This is my first work in this fandom, and first one ever to actually post, so thanks again for reading, I really appreciate it. Hope you enjoyed!!!!

-M

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kaypeace21 · 5 years

Text

El & Will created the Upside Down & the Mindflayer (Theory)

After, rewatching both seasons it’s become clear that the upside down/mindflayer is not only an allegory for their (cannon) ptsd/ and trauma but also (because of their powers), it’s become a physical manifestation (with a life of it’s own), that spreads. So the only way to destroy both , will be for them to not only physically destroy the MF and close the gate, but to “confront their pain.” Before this pain “kills” them both. This is meant in both the literal sense, but also is as an allusion to suicidal thoughts. Owens even says in regards to Dr Brenner’s experiments “mistakes have been made... we can’t fix it, but we can stop it from spreading.”

The original title for Stranger things was “Montauk”- in reference to the Montauk Project. It was about experiments conducted on psychic children, where the scientists would “break” them psychologically to strengthen their powers and to program them. “The aim was to fracture the mind so they could programme you .” In one story their was a boy named Duncan who could open portals to other dimensions and periods of time. However, one day “Duncan let loose a monster from his subconscious.”

And this is where Stranger Things comes in...

The upside down/ opening of the gate/demorgorgan is described as something that grows and spreads, “like a cancer”. And something that will eventually kill her, if not confronted.

In s1 Dusting even asks, Eleven “Do you have cancer?” In a literal sense no, but the buzzcut ( which makes people assume she has cancer) represents the abuse she’s been through. And if she doesn’t confront her trauma it will slowly eat away at her until it kills her.

The name El is the name of a Canaanite God, which means “god of creation.”

And the fact that the Mindflayer shows up when Will is experiencing his “anniversary effect” relating to his ptsd, may not be a coincidence. Will even says he writes and draws stories in s2. And an interview confirmed that Will’s dog died between s1-2, and then in s2 the demorgorgans become demo-dogs. HMM? And I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but if I’m right- this also implies Will was m***sted as a kid (probably by Lonnie), who always called him homophobic slurs.

The cannon spotify character playlists (which netflix and spotify worked on and published together after s2) alluded to this on both Jonathan and Will’s playlist,

Will’s playlist- Creature comfort: “Some boys hate themselves spend their lives resenting their fathers...Some boys get too much, too much love, too much touch.”

Jonathan’s Playlist- We’re happy family: “Eating refried beans (poverty). Gulpin' down Thorazines (pills for a mood disorder). We ain't got no friends. Our troubles never end. Daddy likes men. Daddy's telling lies.”

Enter sandman: “Don’t forget my son. Sleep with one eye open. Gripping your pillow tight, Exit light, Enter night. Take my hand, we’re off to never-never land. Something’s wrong, shut the light, heavy thoughts tonight. Dreams of liars and of things that will bite, yeah. Hush little baby don’t say a word, and never mind that noise you heard. It’s just the beasts under your bed, in your closet in your head.”

Also,will doesn’t initially call the Mindflayer a “he” but an “it”.And if you only take out certain pieces of dialogue between Joyce and Will, when they first talk about the mind flayer, where they only refer to it as an ‘it’ … and if you put [‘he/him’] pronouns there instead… then the rest of the discussion about the mind flayer literally sounds… questionable.

Will: “It all just went blank and then you were there”

Joyce: “Will I need you to tell me the truth.”

Will: “I am!”

Joyce: “But … But I can’t help you if I don’t know what’s going on. So you have to talk to me. Please. No more secrets, okay? Okay.”

Will: “ [*It] came for me and … and I tried… I tried to make [*it] go away … but [*it] got me mom”. (*he, * him,* he)

Joyce: What does that mean?”

Will: “I felt [*it] everywhere. everywhere. I- I still feel [*it]. I just want this to be over!” (*him, *him)

Joyce: “LOOK AT ME! I Will never let anything bad happen to you ever again!”

It hit way too close to home. The stone face look, trying to say you tried to make it stop (feeling guilty), then bursting into tears. It was way too similar to a kid admitting he was m*lested, and telling his mom about it .Like seriously rewatch the scene...

And once again, relating to the vines and the shadow monster/Mindflayer himself- they are also described as spreading, and we are told that it will kill Will.

Will is even the first to call the Mindflayer a “he”, instead of an it- even though in d&d Mindflayers are “sexless”. Will even says “ the more he spreads the more connected to him I feel.” And if I’m right about Will becoming number 12, it’s interesting to point out that 12 is a numeral symbol for “God of creation”, as well.

The other Drs/scientists are extremely callous and say they need to continue the burn (even if it kills Will). However, Dr Owens even says after this “You’re putting a bandaid on this.” Meaning they aren’t addressing the real problem- Will & El’s trauma.

Also the latest s3 trailer confirms that the shadow monster stayed in the real world, after the gate closed (and didn’t do anything for a year). But don’t you find it strange that the shadow monster only decides to come out now, in the summer (despite it not liking hot temperatures). Well, one articles said that Will , in s3, will feel “more alone than when he was when stuck in the upside down.”

Which is because his abandonment issues- caused by his father, Lonnie, begin to resurface and strengthen. Bob (his father figure) died protecting him, Dustin starts hanging out with Steve, Lucas has a girlfriend, Jonathan will probably be too busy trying to financially support the family/dating Nancy, and to top it all off he then has a fight with Mike about not being “ kids anymore”. Will even runs to Castle Byers right after this.

Will uses castle Byers as the one place he feels safe while in the upside down, or just on a daily basis. But it’s still a reminder of his deep-seeded abandonment issues. The day Will’s dad left , Jonathan and Will built Castle Byers all night in the pouring rain. Jonathan saying “we just had to finish it no matter what”. Will was the one who made-up Castle Byers in his imagination, and drew it, before Lonnie even left. He drew the sign “all friends welcome”, because with Lonnie around he never felt ‘welcome’ in his own home. So then when Will goes to Castle Byers in s3 at night in the pouring rain … he’s probably thinking that Mike (and his friends) are going to abandon him just like his dad did!

I wouldn’t be surprised if supernatural happenings occurred before this. But after this scene, things start to escalate. The upside down may have been created by El and Will. But now it’s a real world entity (with a mind of it’s own) and both the Americans and Soviets can/will try to weaponize it. However, Will and El will only defeat the Upsidedown/Mindflayer with their powers , only after they confront their trauma (in s5).

Kali even says about herself....

*gifs not mine

@nancykali , @willthecleric thought you might like this

#will byers #el hopper #Jane hopper #stranger things theory

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