Takes place when El is closing the gate.

Mike tapped his foot anxiously on the ground, the sound echoing awkwardly in the silent room. Mike didn't know if the silence was a blessing or a curse, but all he knew, was that the atmosphere felt depressing and empty, like it was missing something.
El.
He didn't know if she was okay, and that thought hurt him. Eleven just came back, and now she's gone again, with the unknown if she'd come back.
No. She's going to be okay, he told himself in his head, having to repeat it. Though it didn't beat the darkness overlapping the positive thoughts, winning the fight.

Mike didn't want to cry again. But you don't always get what you want.
Tears started streaming down his cold face, flooding his eyeballs with salty, untold liquid.
His leg shook wildly, him watching as the tears made tiny spots of wet stains on his pants.

She is going to be okay, she is going to be okay, she is going to be okay.

Everybody in the room tried to ignore the boy's sobs in the corner of the room, knowing, he needs some space. He couldn't deal with other people at the moment.
He just needed El. He just needed to hold her in his arms once she got back, as she smiles in his chest, not crying tears of emptiness, but love. He needed to feel her, feel her skin against his, knowing that she's real. She's here, she's actually here. He needed to look into her dark brown pools and to tell her just how much she means to him. He needs to hold her hand and tell her everything is going to be alright.

Memories of the past flooded his brain, making the tears fall faster.
The bike rides, how she looked at him, comforting her, teaching her things...
The kiss.

He remembered how the sparks flew like a wildfire. It was brief, but yet so special.

And...the Snowball.
He promised her, they are going to go. A promise is a promise, something that can never be broken.
Ever.

"I should have went with her," he mumbled, looking down at the ground.
Lucas turned around, surprised.
"Definitely not. Have you seen all those demedogs? It'd be lucky if they even come out ali-"
"They are going to be fine, alright!" Mike spat, sobbing harder, thinking about how unsafe it is out there. He could have protected her, she shouldn't have gone. She shouldn't be on this much stress, she doesn't deserve it.
Why her? Why not me?

"El please come back." He whispered.
"I love you."

"Mike!" El giggled, running into his arms, almost knocking him over.
"I missed you," Mike smiled, kissing her forehead.
"Missed you too," El grinned, shoving her face into the crook of his neck, taking in all of him.
Mike held her tightly, embracing her warmth.
Mike tick a strand of her curls behind her ear, looking at her face. It is filled with a beautiful pink, her eyes twinkling.
"You're so beautiful," Mike whispered, which made her face turn from pink to red.
El gave him a peck on his cheek-

His daydream broke once Dustin wrapped an arm around his shoulder.
"She's fine," Dustin smiled, looking at his red, puffy eyes.
Mike only nodded, throwing his head back against the wall.
I hope so.

He thinks about El giggling. He thinks about her eating eggos, accidentally getting whipped cream on her nose as they both laugh about it. He's going to read her stories as she listens, asking him about certain words as Mike teaches her it. He thinks about cuddling her in cold nights, having to come closer for warmth as they fall asleep together. How they'd have pillow fights and look up at the stars, or pointing to funny shaped clouds. Or how El would hug him tightly as they go on a beautiful bike ride. How they'd kiss under a glowing light, or in a rainy day.

Mike's face fell.
Does she even love me? Does she know what love even is?
It broke his heart.
Stupid. Just be happy she's alive.

Hopefully.

A car pulled up in the driveway. The sound made Mike's ears perk up, as he immediately ran outside.
There, was Hopper's car. They're back. They really are back.

Mike wiped away his tears.
"Where's El? Is she okay?" He cried, not seeing her in the dark night.
Hopper gave out a hitched sigh, his eyes darkening.
"I-I think so..." Hopper sighed.
Mike furrowed his eyebrows.
"You think so?!" He screeched running up to the backseat door, heart racing. He panicked.
This is not how it's supposed to be.

He opened the door in a heartbeat, his face falling as his eyes widened, seeing her weak body. Blood stains, tear stains, skin looked rotten.
Mike couldn't keep his tears away this time, crying as loud as he could.
"El!" He gasped, choking on his own spit.
Hopper pushed him back, picking up El in his arms.
"She's going to be fine!" He screamed, speed walking to the door.

Mike couldn't take his blurry eyes off of Eleven, looking at the unconscious girl.

Everyone rushed towards her once he was placed down on the couch, asking Hopper a bundle of questions.
Hopper shut them up, annoyed.

Mike knelt down, holding her hand lightly, feeling the dry skin, rubbing it with his thumb.
He unknowingly rocked back and fourth, feeling light headed and dehydrated.
"I n-need to be with her...alone." He demanded, not caring what they think.
They were hesitant at first, but agreed, knowing how much Mike cared about this girl.

The door closed with a click, as he stared at her face. Even with all the dirt and blood, she's beautiful.
His hand twitched at the feeling of movement, seeing her body adjust itself.
"Mike." She breathed out.
"E-El..." he cried, smiling at her words. A huge wave of relief washed over him, as he squeezed her hand tighter.
Her eyes lacked the warmth he remembered. She looked broken. She looked sick.
"You're back," he grinned, seeing her close her eyes.
No response.
"El?" His smile turned back into a frown.
He shook her body, seeing no movement.
"El?!" He screeched.
El opened her eyes slightly, only to be closed once more.
"Mike...It's hurting..." she whined, wanting to cry but not finding the strength.
"What's hurting El? Are you okay?" He blabbered, his pupils decreasing in size. She doesn't deserve any pain.
"Mike..." she breathed once more, not finding oxegent.
The whole situation just struck him like a bullet.
"No no no El! No! Stay strong for me okay?" Latching on to both of her hands.
All he got was a muttered whine, barley audible.
She wanted to tell him she loved him. She wanted to hold him, touch him, laugh with him, kiss him.
She couldn't do that though. She tried to find any last strength but no use. She didn't want to go without Mike.
I want to stay with Mike. Please don't take me away from Mike. She thought.
Please, please let me stay.

Moments later, all hope was lost.
Her hand went limp in his, her body purple.
Mike cried and cried, not knowing how he still had water in his body, shaking her body.
No , no, she can't be gone.
She can't be.
Mike placed his hand against her chest. No heartbeat.

He froze. He couldn't cry, he couldn't breath, he couldn't think.
But that quickly passed, with Mike crying sounds like screeching, crying into her chest.
"No El, you can't do this to me!" He cried.
"We were going to do so much!" He continued.
"Please El!" He cried, but no use.

She was gone.

All his memories, all his thoughts oh hugging her, kissing her, laughing with her washed away.
She left him again, but this time, there was no chance of her coming back.

He hugged her dead body tightly, not believing this happened. He's not going to say goodbye.
He doesn't think he can.

The family came running in, hearing him through the doors.
"What happened?" They all screeched.

"She's gone."

And he never got to say "I love you."