Chapter 4
November 5, 1984
Mike gasped as he climbed out of the hole, dirty and reeked of gasoline. Lucas and Max were scrambling to get the rope steady again. Mike wanted to collapse right then and there, but he had to help Steve and Dustin up.
Suddenly, the ground began to tremble, and the ear-piercing sound of the demodogs screeches filled the atmosphere. Mike and the others crouched down, by the hole, peering down not wanting to be seen. But, it seemed the demodogs had no interest in Steve, nor the Party. Swarms of them were heading in one direction, as if there were fresh steaks on the grill.
Mike's heart began to pound out of his chest. The demodogs were hungry, but not for steak. As Mike watched those monsters pass him by, he stared on in realization. Their plan didn't work, for the creatures were headed straight back to the gate...the gate that El was attempting to close.
'Eleven," Mike said softly.
Mike then got up and rushed back to Billy's car, scarf and goggles still wrapped around his head. He didnt care, he had to get to her, before the demodogs did.
"Max, where are the keys?" Mike frantically exclaimed.
"WHAT?" Max yelled back.
"I'M GOING TO THE LAB!" Mike shouted, running to Max, trying to dig his hands through the pockets of her jacket.
"Mike!" Max attempted to pull away from him, "what the-"
Mike pulled the keys from her jacket pocket and ran towards the car, only to be stopped by Steve's hand grasping his arm. Dustin, who was also helped out of the hole, sprinted behind him.
"Are you crazy?" Steve exclaimed, "you wanna get yourself killed?"
"If it means saving El," Mike said angrily. Mike tried to fight and release himself from Steve's grip, but Steve pulled him in close for a bear hug. As Steve held Mike tightly, Mike began to sob.
"I can't lose her again," Mike cried, "I CAN'T!"
"She's got this," Steve said, "she's gonna close it."
The Party watched on, as Steve comforted Mike. One by one, they joined Mike and Steve's tender moment, turning it into a group hug, not letting go until Mike cried it all out. Mike felt as if time stopped. For the first time in a long time, he felt loved, wanted, and supported. During his moment of weakness, a sudden wave a courage washed upon him. Mike realized he had to remain strong for El, because one the gate was closed, she would need him. Mike calmed down and broke the hug.
"Thanks," Mike said, rubbing his nose with his sleeve.
Steve nodded and patted Mike's shoulder, "Ok, you little shitheads. Everyone grab a flashlight and were gonna see if the coast is clear."
Mike pocketed the car keys, as they grabbed their flashlights off the ground. As they walked back to the giant hole, there was a crackling pop, coming from the car. All of them turned around to notice the headlights, of Billy's car, growing brighter and brighter. Shielding their eyes, it was as if they were looking directly into the sun.
"WHAT'S HAPPENING?" Lucas shouted.
"Is he coming?" Max exclaimed, "the Mind Flayer?"
Mike couldn't comprehend fully what was happening, as he was blinded by the lights. Was it El? Was she closing the gate? Did the Mind Flayer gain power? What on earth was going on?
As the lights were still blinding on, Mike sprinted to the car, shielding his eyes and stumbling a bit, quickly climbing in and locking the door. The others were still covering their eyes, too busy to notice Mike was missing. Mike put his seat belt on and briefly studied the gears. He then cranked up the car and sped into reverse, turning toward the exit. He noticed the Party running to catch up, Mike didnt care. He shifted the car into drive and floored it.
As Mike sped away, Steve watched on, in shock at Mike's decision, the Party standing in the darkness with nothing but their flashlights, lighting their way.
"Now, what do we do?" Dustin panicked.
Steve looked around, with his flashlight. As he walked a few feet, he noticed one of Merrill's work trucks. Steve rushed towards the truck, noticing the driver side door was unlocked. Steve frantically searched the glove box, for keys, with no success. Kicking himself mentally, for what he was about to do, Steve grabbed his pocket knife and went to work.
The Party rushed over to the truck, confused in what he was doing.
"If you shitheads ever pull a stunt like this, I will make it my mission to make sure you don't do it again," Steve said as he broke open the steering column and began working with the wires.
"Wait," Max said with a smirk, "are we...?"
Before Steve could respond, he rubbed two wires together, which started the truck.
"Cool!" Dustin and Lucas exclaimed.
"Let's go," Steve said, as they all climbed into the truck. Next stop, the lab.
Mike sped down the road way, trying to hold steady at the wheel. Given the fact he's never driven a car before, it was as if El mentally telling him what to do and where to go. Mike was relieved that no one was on the road, for he was driving in the middle of both lanes. Hands gripping tightly to the steering wheel, Mike clenched his jaw, frantic to get to El.
Mike made it to the lab, swerving down the driveway, with half of Billy's car on the road and half on the sidewalk. As Mike and the car were tilted at an angle, moving forward at a frantic speed, he searched for the door, which they had exited earlier on the evening. Not paying attention, to what was in front of him, Mike failed to notice a large, concrete pillar, and crashed the front passenger side of the car. Mike's body attempted to lurch forward, but was held tight by the seatbelts, his head hitting the side of the window. Adrenaline was pumping through Mike's veins, masking any soreness or injury from the impact. Mike's forehead was bleeding, but not enough for him to care. Mike yanked off his seatbelt and got out, leaving the car damaged against the pillar, smoking from under the hood and leaking all sorts of vehicle fluids.
Mike sprinted towards the double glass door and as he entered the foyer, he suddenly stopped, catching a glimpse of Bob in front of him, still on the floor, where they left him. Mike's throat went dry and he turned away, trying to erase the memory of Bob's body out of his brain.
"I'm sorry, Bob," Moke sniffled as he found the next door.
Mike ran to the door, that led to the long hallway, where they originally escaped. He looked around in a panic, as he was greeted by multiple doors. Which door? Mike thought. Where would a gate to hell be?
Mike cupped his hands around his mouth, "El!" he shouted. He then pressed his back up against the wall, listening intently for demodogs to come rushing towards him, for a late night snack.
Silence.
"EL!" Mike continued shouting, his voice echoing against the linoleum floor, "HOPPER!"
Mike then heard sounds of a man groaning, coming from the stairwell, around the corner. Mike sprinted towards the door, to the stairs, which were already open.
"Hopper?" Mike called out.
"O-owe-," a man groaned, weakly.
"Dr. Owens!" Mike rushed the stairs and found Dr. Owens bloodied, injured, and resting against the wall. Mike looked down towards Dr. Owens leg, to see a tourniquet, fastened to it. This had to be Hopper's handiwork.
"Where are they?" Mike asked.
Dr. Owens pointed down the stairs, which Mike guesed the basement.
"We'll come back for you," Mike said, as he quickly descended the stairs to the basement. Dr. Owens groaned in affirmation.
As Mike reached the bottom, he noticed a door, that was torn off its hinges and severely disfigured, from its original structure. Fearing the worse, Mike went in, ran down a small hallway, and entered the control room. In front of him was a chain, that appeared to be rolling upward, like it was being controlled by a crank. He peered out from the glass, and saw it was a crane, ascending upward. He then noticed Hopper, holding a weak and exhausted El in his arms.
Mike began sobbing, not knowing if she was dead alive. Mike ran to the glass door, meeting Hopper, to open it for him. As soon as Hopper stepped over the threshold, Mike latched on to El.
"EASY KID!" Hopper shouted.
"ISSHEALIVE?WHYISN'TSHEMOVING?OHMYGODWHATHAVEWEDONEWHATHAV-" Mike freaked out, as Hopper set El down in one of the control rooms chairs, El slumping over onto the control desk.
"HEY!" Hopper shouted in a whisper, grabbing Mike's shoulder, "she's fine, she's just exhausted. Jesus, Wheeler, what happened to your head?
"I uh..." Mike stammered as Hopper applied pressure to Mike's head, ripping long piece of his scrubs and tying it around Mike's head.
"Mmmmph," El moaned, music to Mike's ears. Mike rushed over and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her up to a sitting position.
"Hey," Mike whispered, tears still streaming down his face, "it's me."
"M-Mi-mik-" El stammered.
"Shhh, don't talk, just rest," Mike said.
"B-but," El continued, trembling.
"We"ll get you home," Mike said, rubbing her back, "we have the rest of our lives to talk."
"Promise?" she whispered, weakly staring into Mike's eyes. Mike couldn't get over how beautiful she looked, even with blood streaking down her face.
"Promise," Mike whispered.
El nodded and collapsed in Mike's arms. Mike held her tightly, not wanting to let go. He could never let go again, for she was home.
For the first time in 353 days, Mike felt whole again.