"Where's Lucas?" Max asked as everyone put their bikes in the bike rack outside of Starcourt mall. After last summer's incident they were all surprised to see it was still open. " His mom said that she thought he was at Mike's house." Dustin explained as Will and Eleven showed up. " That's weird since he had to go home early last night." Dustin told the group as they started to head into the mall.
" You don't think-" Will started but was cut off by El. " Demogorgon?" She asked sharing a look with Will. " But didn't you defeat that thing?" Max asked confused. " Yes. But maybe one escaped." El responded. " Or maybe we could all be overthink this and he might of just wanted to be left alone today." Dustin stated. " Do you actually believe that?" Max asked. " A little. Yeah."
Max rolled her eyes but didn't say anything. " So now that we are here, why don't we all go shopping and then in about an hour we can go get some ice cream." Max proposed. " Sure." Mike said. " Me and El are going to be a group so you boys can do whatever." Max said, grabbing El's hand. " We can meet back at Scoop's Ahoy in an hour." Dustin stated before the girls ran off. " Okay." El responded as Max pulled her away from the group. The boys watched as they ran off.
…..
After the hour was up, they all ended up with bags of goodies and ice cream as they left the mall on their bikes, El riding with Max and Will with Mike." Come in Lucas, over." Dustin talked through the walkie for about the hundredth time. " Dustin, I thought you said that Lucas might want to be alone today." Max started causing everyone to agree with her. " uh- yeah but" " So stop calling him." Max said annoyed. " Alright!" Dustin turned off the walkie as they countied to Mike's house.
They abandoned their bikes in the front yard and then ran into the house towards the basement. As the group proceeded down the steps, Max grabbed El's arm to stop her. El turned around to face her immediately noticing the look of worry etched on Max's face. " You okay?" El asked. " I know I'm probably being paranoid but could you check up on Lucas for me?" El looked towards the basement stairs and then back at Max. " I don't know. My powers just came back." El said. " Please. I don't know if it's because Dustin kept calling him but I feel like something is wrong." Max pleaded, keeping her voice low. El looked around the room, blew some air out of her nose, then looked Max in the eye as she said, " Okay." Max smiled at her. " Thank you."
They walked down the rest of the stairs causing Mike to look up from the board game they had been setting up. " Everything okay?" Mike asked as the girls stood in front of him. " Yep." Max responded before El could tell the truth. El gave her a confused look. " Can I borrow a walkie?" Max asked. " What for? To contact your boyfriend?" Dustin teased. Max squinted her eyes at him. " What for?" Mike asked " To see if I can find Lucas." Eleven said before Max could come up with an excuse.
" El!" Max scolded. El looked at her. " Friends don't lie." She said. " Didn't you just get your powers back?" Will asked. " Yes." " You don't have to do this." Mike stated. " I told Max yes already." " El." "Mike, stop. I'll be okay." She said sternly, holding out her hand. " Walkie." " Here." Dustin said, giving her his. " Thanks." She and Max said at the same time.
They both sat down on the floor by the stairs as El messed with the walkie,looking for radio static. At the same time Max looked for anything to cover El's eyes. She found a handkerchief. She got up and grabbed it, handing it to El. " Thanks." She heard the familiar sound of static. She put the handkerchief on and the room immediately became silent.
She soon found herself in the familiar black void. She walked through the space, the water becoming colder and colder. " Lucas?" She called out. She turned to see a figure leaning up against a gray cement wall. " Lucas?" She said again. " El?" He asked, confused. " Lucas!" She rushed over to him. " If you can hear this El, help me. I'm at-" He turned into smoke before he could finish his sentence. " Lucas!" She felt herself being brought back. She pulled off the handkerchief. " What happened?" Mike asked. Eleven looked at him fear in her eyes. "Help."