PARALLEL

'What is it, El?' Mike asked, concerned.

Eleven began, 'If we are there, I am there.'

Dustin caught on, next, shifting as he said, 'If El is there, there's an evil version of her with all of her abilities, waiting to crush us into dust.'

Lucas joined in. 'There are versions of all of us. That's what Will said, isn't it? There's a party of us, down there, upside down. What are they doing? They've been hiding, b-but for how long? And why? Will?'

Will wasn't there anymore. He was sitting there, in the basement, but he had gone back to the ball.

Cindy Laupers' "Time After Time" crackled eerily over the speakers, and the gym was empty now. The decorations which had looked vibrant and beautiful in his school gymnasium looked dull and faded here, like they had been hanging there for years rather than hours.

As he made his way across the floor - feeling braver than ever before, seemingly invisible this time - he was aware of his sneakers squeaking with every step; a sound only he could hear. He made it to the gym doors and stuck his hand out to open one of them; his hand passing right through it. His body followed and he was now in the hallway, which was also abandoned.

"Upside Down" by Diana Ross had just begun to play, and he could hear it clearly as he walked the halls, looking for anybody. He couldn't help but smirk. As he neared the AV Room, he heard voices. He slowed his steps, trying to be silent, before remembering he was practically a ghost.

Will came to with a start, startling everyone else in the process.

'What did you see there, Will?' Dustin asked, 'Are we in trouble?'

'I saw us...them,' Will responded. '...and they're coming. For us.'