"Alright, that's it!" Faye exclaims. "He's fifteen minutes late, we're going in without him."
The group agreed to meet outside Starcourt Mall at 7PM to watch Day of the Dead, and yet it's almost 7:20 and there's no sign of Mike. Faye is rapidly running out of patience with her twin; now they're all going to miss the movie because he couldn't be bothered to show up on time. Sure, she understands that Mike wants to spend time with El (and it sucks that Hopper is still keeping her under house arrest), but this is ridiculous.
"I second that," nods Lucas.
"Oh come on," says Max. "Just give him a few more minutes."
Faye sighs impatiently. She hates waiting - especially for her stupid brother. A hand slips through hers and she glances up to see Will giving her his 'be nice' face; over the years, Will has become the unofficial mediator of the Wheeler twins. Whenever she and Mike start an argument, Will is usually the one who finishes it. Luckily this time he doesn't have to because Mike cycles across the parking lot moments later.
"You're late," Lucas states.
"Again," Faye emphasises.
Mike dismounts and chains up his bike, oblivious to their scathing tones. "I'm sorry."
"We're gonna miss the opening," Will complains.
"Yeah if you guys keep whining about it," Mike responds, strutting past them without a care.
"I'll give him something to whine about," Faye mutters as they head inside, making Will and Max snigger.
They rush through the crowds and zigzag their way down the escalator, passing several disgruntled mall-goers. When they reach the lower level, Faye spots Erica - Lucas' little sister - sitting by the fountain with her friends. Faye has always liked Erica; she might only be 10 years old, but she's got more wit than most people twice her age. Particularly when it comes to Lucas.
"Hey Erica," Faye greets.
"Hi Faye," Erica replies. "Hi nerds."
Lucas glares at her. "Isn't it past your bedtime?"
"Isn't it time you died?" Erica counters.
Faye chokes on a laugh. Case and point. The Sinclair siblings proceed to shout 'butthead' and 'fartface' at each other across the mall - causing several people to turn and stare - until Max drags Lucas away. The group then take their usual detour through Scoops Ahoy, where Steve now works as an ice cream attendant. When he sees them coming, Steve's eyes widen in disbelief.
"Again? Seriously?" he asks.
The rest of them just stare at him expectantly, so Steve sighs and ushers them behind the counter. There's a maintenance tunnel that leads from the back of the ice cream parlor directly to the movie theatre; it's supposed to be strictly staff-only, but no-one ever checks it. Steve reminds them that if anyone finds out he let them through, they're dead; Faye almost points out that Steve's threats aren't exactly intimidating (given that he's lost fights to both Jonathan Byers and Billy Hargrove - not to mention being slapped in the face by Nancy), but decides against it. They hurry down the tunnel and emerge into the foyer of the movie theatre with five minutes to spare. Just as they think the coast is clear, a voice calls out from behind them. "HEY!"
Faye spins around and sees an angry security guard marching in their direction. Lucas swears under his breath.
"What're you kids doing?!" he demands.
It's probably a bad idea. They're in a public place, in a confined area - anyone could walk by. But Faye didn't wait all that time only to be thrown out before they've even seen the movie. Taking a deep breath, she steps forward and locks eyes with the guard.
He freezes instantly and his expression glazes over, as if he forgot what he was saying. Faye concentrates, feeling the now familiar prickle of energy down her arm as she reaches out towards him. El has been trying to teach her how to use her powers with eye contact alone, but Faye prefers to use her whole body; to let the charge flow through her until her fingertips are crackling with energy. The muscles in her chest tighten like a bowstring, then snap forwards in a sudden burst as the arrow finds its mark. Faye feels strongest when she embraces the physical aspect of her power, rather than confining it to her mind. Like it's truly a part of her, instead of just a crazy fluke.
The guard obediently backs away and Faye inclines her head down the hall - motioning to the others to run for it. Only when they're safely inside the screen room does she break the connection. The guard blinks hard and sways on his feet, and Faye takes the opportunity to escape while he's disoriented - discreetly wiping the blood from her nose.
"That was awesome!" Max exclaims.
"Yeah - we were this close to being busted!" Lucas echoes.
Will grins proudly. "I totally have the best girlfriend."
Mike just rolls his eyes. Apparently, mind control is only impressive when El does it.
Someone nearby shushes them so the group quickly find their seats, just as the opening credits begin. There isn't enough space for them to sit together, so Faye, Will and Mike take one row, while Lucas and Max sit in front. Will unzips his backpack and starts handing out the snacks, saving a pack of Reese's for him and Faye. Once he's finished, his hand finds hers on the armrest and they instinctively lace together. However, just as the movie gets going, the screen flickers and blacks out.
A roar of outrage goes up from the audience. Groaning, Faye cranes her neck to see if the projector is broken, when suddenly she feels something cold against her fingers. She is about to pull away, until she realises it's Will's skin.
"Will?"
Will doesn't respond. His free hand clutches the back of his neck and his eyes are wide and unblinking. The cold is almost painful against Faye's skin - it's like he's submerged his hand in a bucket of ice water. Something unpleasant coils in the pit of her stomach. She's felt this coldness before... the day on the field. When she first saw the Mind Flayer.
Panic spikes in Faye's chest. What if Will is having one of his episodes; a flashback to the Upside Down, or worse, a vision of the monster. No, it can't be. The Mind Flayer is gone and the Gate is closed - only El can open it. And yet Will's skin is so cold and his expression is just empty... like he's not really there. Faye doesn't know what to do. Should she take him outside? Should she tell the others? Should she call Ms. Byers?
Faye is halfway out of her seat when the projector sputters back to life and Will's whole body jerks.
"Will?!"
He's white as a sheet and there are beads of perspiration dotted on his forehead. Hearing the commotion, Mike leans in. "What's going on?"
"It's okay," Will answers, eventually. "I'm fine."
Faye stares at him, unconvinced. "Are you sure?"
"Yeah, of course," Will insists.
He squeezes her hand reassuringly, then turns his attention to the movie. Faye and Mike exchange worried looks, but there's nothing they can do except take his word for it. Sitting back in her seat, Faye does her best to put the concerns aside; maybe it wasn't an episode, maybe Will just had a funny turn. Regardless, no matter how hard she tries, Faye can't seem to shake off a chill for the rest of the evening.
The next day, Dustin is due to return from summer camp. Mrs. Henderson left early in the morning to pick him up, allowing plenty of time for the rest of them to make preparations for his Welcome Home party. As the group's resident artists, Faye and Will are tasked with making a banner, while the others set up decorations and food (which mostly consists of leftover snacks from the night before). Mike and El have even agreed to sacrifice precious makeout time to help, which is nothing short of a miracle.
Faye is looking forward to having the Party back together again, but she can't help being distracted by what happened at the movie theatre. On the way home last night, she took Will aside and questioned him about the blackout, and Will reluctantly admitted that he felt a kind of cold presence - like how he used to feel whenever the Mind Flayer was near. Faye knew it couldn't be a coincidence; there was just something about that icy feeling that was horribly familiar. Will said it was as if something was breathing down the back of his neck, which Faye didn't like the sound of at all, but she was careful not to overreact. She knows how much Will hates being treated like a baby. When Faye asked whether they should tell the others, Will immediately refused - not wanting to steal Dustin's thunder at his own party.
"Okay, they'll be here any minute," Max announces. "Does everyone know what to do?"
"Yes," the group respond in unison.
Lucas shakes his head. "I still think we should hide in the living room."
"No, because Dustin has to walk past the living room to get to his bedroom. We've been over this," Mike states.
"What if he wants a glass of water?" asks Lucas.
"He won't!"
"How do you know?!"
"Because he always carries soda in his backpack," Will points out.
Unwilling to be proven wrong, Lucas folds his arms. "Fine, what if he wants ice?"
"Why would he want ice?!" exclaims Mike.
"Uh, hello! Because it's hot, genius."
While their boyfriends argue, Faye, Max and El roll their eyes at each other and try not to laugh. Suddenly, Faye spots Mrs. Henderson's car pulling up outside. "They're here!"
Everyone springs to their feet and ducks into the kitchen to hide, ignoring Lucas' protests. It wouldn't be a true Welcome Home party without a little prank. Will grips Faye's hand as they're pressed against the wall, and they grin at each other as the front door opens. Dustin stomps straight to his bedroom, and Mike mouths "Told you" at Lucas - who gives him the finger. Taking her cue, El closes her eyes and the sound of robotic beeping carries down the hall, followed by Dustin's cautious footsteps.
"It's just a dream," he tells himself. "You're dreaming."
Peering around the corner, Max gives a thumbs up and the group creep into the living room - party horns at the ready. One... two... three.
"SURPRISE!"
Dustin lets out a high-pitched squeal and squirts a jet of hairspray into Lucas' face. The others leap out of the way and cover their ears as Lucas starts screaming too.
"WHAT THE SHIT?!" Dustin yells. "YOU ALMOST GAVE ME A HEART ATTACK!"
"YOU ALMOST BLINDED ME!" Lucas replies, rubbing the hairspray out of his eyes.
"IT WAS SELF DEFENCE!"
Well that didn't go exactly as planned. "Um," Faye shrugs. "Welcome home?"
After things have calmed down, Max leads a half-blind Lucas into the bathroom to wash his face, while the rest of them head to Dustin's bedroom where he shows them a strange collection of inventions he made at summer camp. There's a clock with a windmill attached, some sort of electric hammer, and finally Dustin's "Masterpiece"; which appears to be a duffel bag full of wires and microphones.
"I would like you to meet Cerebro," Dustin announces, beaming with pride.
Mike frowns. "What exactly are we looking at here?"
"An unassembled, one-of-a-kind, battery powered radio tower!"
There's a pause.
"So it's a ham radio," Will clarifies.
Dustin grins. "The Cadillac of ham radios. This baby carries a crystal clear connection over vast distances - I'm talking North Pole to South. I can talk to my girlfriend wherever and whenever I choose."
Faye, Will, Mike and El look at each other in astonishment. "Girlfriend?!"
A self-satisfied expression appears on Dustin's face. "That's right. No more seventh-wheeling for me!"
For a moment, the shock of this revelation renders them silent; but within seconds, Dustin is gunned down by questions.
"What's her name?"
"Where's she from?"
"How long have you been going out?"
"Is she cute?"
"Is she real?"
Dustin raises his voice above the clamor. "Hey! Hey! One at a time, please! Her name is Suzie, she's from Utah. We've been dating for a couple of weeks. She's a genius, and she's not just cute, she's gorgeous - think Phoebe Cates, only hotter."
"Who's Phoebe Cates?" El frowns.
"Come on!" says Dustin, grabbing the duffel bag. "I'll show you."
With that, the group set off to meet Dustin's girlfriend - which isn't a sentence Faye ever expected to say. At least not quite in this context. According to Dustin, Cerebro works best at 100 meters, so they head for the fields just outside town where there are several steep hills. There's too much equipment to take on the bikes, meaning the only way to get there is on foot. Under the scorching June sun, it takes the better part of two hours just to get to the fields, then another two to find and climb a hill that's high enough. By the time they're approaching the top, Faye is about ready to pass out.
"Hey guys!"
Panting, they turn around and see Mike and El have stopped a little ways down the hill.
Mike grimaces. "This was fun and all, but..."
"I have to go home," says El.
"We're almost there!" Dustin exclaims.
"Sorry man - curfew," shrugs Mike. He grabs El's hand and starts to lead her back the way they came.
El smiles. "Good luck."
Before anyone can stop them, the pair run off giggling like a couple of schoolgirls. Faye just rolls her eyes, too exhausted to argue.
Dustin checks his watch. "Curfew at four?!"
"They're lying," Lucas states.
"It's been like this all summer," adds Will.
Max stares after them wistfully. "It's romantic."
Faye scoffs. "It's gross."
"It's bullshit!" Dustin snaps. "I just got home."
There's genuine hurt in his voice that makes Faye feel guilty on Mike's behalf.
"I've tried talking to him, but he won't listen."
Dustin shakes his head. "Well, their loss right? Onwards and upwards! Suzie awaits!"
With renewed energy, he sets off up the hill - Lucas and Max groaning in pursuit. Faye starts to follow, then realises after a few steps that Will isn't with them. She glances over her shoulder to find him standing completely still and clutching the back of his neck - just like he did at the movie theatre.
"Will?" Faye calls, suddenly nervous. "What is it?"
Will's expression is grave and he answers in a low voice. "I felt it again. The cold presence."
A shiver runs up Faye's spine. "Where? When?"
"Just now. It's like it was coming from behind me," replies Will, anxiously.
Swallowing thickly, Faye looks out across the countryside and becomes uncomfortably aware of how exposed they are. There have no shelter, no weapons and no way to call for help - apart from Dustin's unassembled radio, if it even works. She strains her eyes and tries to pick out anything unusual; an out-of-place shadow, a strange shape lurking between the trees... but the only movement is the breeze blowing through the grass and the now distant figures of Mike and El.
"Hey! Don't you guys even think about running off too!" Dustin shouts down.
Faye and Will turn to each other uneasily. "Can you still feel it?" Faye asks.
Will touches the back of his neck again and shakes his head. "No. Maybe it was just the wind?"
Neither of them are convinced, but it's certainly better than the alternative.
"Yeah," says Faye. "Maybe."
Author's note: Hi everyone! I hope you're enjoying the story so far. I really wanted to fit another event into this chapter (something the show only touches on, but that will be a crucial plot point for this story), however including it would have pushed the word count over 3,000 - which I'm trying to avoid. Guess it will just have to wait...