PUTTING THE FACTS TOGETHER

Mike stayed sleep for about another hour and that's when the bell rung and I knew it was time for lunch. I mentally panicked about rather Lucas, Dustin, and Will needed to know about Mike, but right on que they walked in.

"So, Max finally embraced her supervillain gene." Dustin said gesturing to the lanky teenager on the table.

Behind Dustin Will stepped forward and to say he looked shook would be an understatement. Will slowly approached Mike with a tear rolling down his face in the process.

"Will what's wrong?" I ask concerned and confused by this shift in the air.

"Mike." Will whispered while grabbing Mike's hand.

"Ok seriously Byers what the hell is going on, how do you know Mike?" Max asked starting to get nervous which was very rare for her.

Will took a moment to recover from whatever this emotional breakdown it was he was having before he spoke.

"I met Dustin and Lucas in the second grade, but before them I had a best friend by the name of Mike Wheeler." Will said as everyone's jaw including mine collectively dropped.

"We were unbreakable, until one day we were being attacked by some bullies on during recess and right when they were about to hit us, they randomly flew mid-air and both hit their heads on the slide. At the time Mike and I had no idea what had happened. About a week after the incident Mike and I had gotten into an argument and as he really started to get worked up, he started levitating. Being a little kid, I screamed for Mike's mom Karen and when she ran down, she was shocked to say the least. She called her Obgyn a man by the name of Dr. Martin Brenner, I'll never forget that evil and sinister smile he had. She said that Dr. Brenner used her as a test subject for medication when she was pregnant or at least she thought it was medication. Brenner said he had no explanation for what was happening with Mike and said if he found out anything he'd reach out. Less than two days later Mike went missing and was never seen again until now and I'm sure that evil prick had something to do with it." Will said crying having to relive probably the worst week of his life.

It was dead silent and everyone was trying to process that load of information Will had just dropped on us. We were all knocked out of our trances when the star of the hour started to stir and wake up. He finally opened his eyes and when they locked on Will he went even paler if that was possible.

"Will." Mike said in the same manner when Will had whispered his name when he saw him and that's when it happened again.

We were no longer in the A.V room but in a playground looking at a scared younger version of Will and two bigger kids in front of a slide with blood on it.

"Guys, I think Will triggered his past memories and he's starting to remember from then till now." Dustin said trying to make sense of the entire situation.

The memories started to go by in a flash until there was a memory it stopped on and I gasped when I saw that Mike was staring at a younger version of me, we were both in the rainbow room playing with each other. The memories started to fly by again and when they stopped, we were all staring at Dr. Brenner.

"Eleven please complete your test for today." Brenner said in an annoyed tone.

"No, not until you tell me where the other Eleven is." Mike said right back at him.

"Ok Eleven, you leave me no choice wipe him from now until the age of five." Brenner said with that cold look he would get anytime he punished us

The memories sped back up and everything went black and now were back in the A.V room. Everyone looked at Mike waiting for him to say something, instead he ran and wrapped his arms around me.

"I've missed you so much Eleven!" Mike said while sniffling before moving on to Will.

I couldn't hug back because I don't remember ever knowing him. This was insane and it was really messing with my head. What else don't I know, how could I forget someone so clearly important, and lastly what isn't my father telling me.

"Mike, how do we know each other?" I asked genuinely scared of the answer I would get.

"When I was kidnapped and brought to the lab, I refused to do their tests no matter how many times they shocked me, until one day I met you in the rainbow room. You were so innocent and nice and I uh kind of maybe sort of had a crush on you. This didn't go unnoticed by papa so one day he brought you with him to try and get me to do the tests and when I said no, he shocked you not me and I couldn't bear to see you being hurt because of me so I caved. Until one day before one of our tests I noticed that you were nowhere to be found and I refused, because I was afraid they had sent you away or worse. When I refused demanding to know where you were he simply had my memory erased and I never thought of you again up until now." Mike said almost shuddering at the memory.

"Was my memory ever wiped?" I asked really wanting answers to this whole thing.

"No, you always knew me and would give me hug and kiss on the cheek every time I saw you, it's what kept me going." As Mike said this the memory faded in then out.

"Ok, sad shit aside I totally ship it like Elike or Mileven." Dustin said trying to brighten the mood.

"Ship?" Mike said confused.

"Ok how the fuck can he explain some deep shit like that but doesn't know what shipping is?" Max asked.

"Well, Mike was a child prodigy and he was academically on an eighth-grade level before he was taken, but still has the street smarts of a second grader" Will said.

"It's so good to see you both, my life became nothing once I lost the both of you. You're my best friends." Mike said tearing up.

"Woah woah woah slow your roll, El is my best friend." Max said leaving no room for argument.

"Oh, well Will we're still best friends right?" Mike asked his whole demeanor changing after being shut down by Max.

"Never stopped, I love you buddy." Will said pulling Mike into another hug.

Dustin and Lucas took this as their time to try and introduce themselves.

"Hi I'm Dustin Henderson nice to meet you." Dustin said putting his hand out.

Mike took it but immediately pulled Dustin into a hug also doing the same with Lucas.

"Sorry I'm a hugger, they always make me feel better." Mike said looking directly at me with a desperate look.

"Ok screw this, everyone meet at my house and Mike bring your mom, we need answers." I said before storming out, I had to clear my head this was all too much.