July 4, 1985

Billy heard the parade from his room. By nighttime, the people of Hawkins, his home, would be gathering at the carnival for the fourth of July celebration and fireworks.

He didn't have much time.

Too many people. Too many lives.

Throwing on his jean jacket he took another deep drag from his joint, weed was the only thing keeping it at bay.

Getting into his prized Camaro he looked back at his house. It had never been a true home but he would miss Max. She wouldn't believe him but she was the only thing pushing him to fight. Her and the strange girl he saw in his mind.

Taking another drag for good measure he started up the Camaro and headed to the Star Court Mall.

He had been listening into conversations between Max and her group of weird friends including Steve Harrington.

They had discovered Russians having some sort of portal thing in the basement and were going to try and take it down themselves.

Billy planned on getting there first.

When he got to the mall he parked his Camaro in the very back and headed into the loading docks. He walked like he belonged and honestly looked like most of the guys working.

Taking another drag he headed to the lift where he hit the ground floor button and using what he was able to pick up using the instincts from the mind flayer he had gained, he made it easier to the control room.

He could feel the flayer trying to fight trying to get him to turn around but he didn't.

Knocking out the two guards he grabbed the keys and said "time to go back to your shit hole asshole" and turned the keys simultaneously.

He felt it being ripped from him. As it left though it left a parting gift, one of it's claws right through the middle of his gut.

Falling to the floor, Billy closed his eyes and smiled knowing that he was going to die to make sure others, including his irritating little sister lived.

Hawkins community pool, July 10, 1985

Lyla Mayers walked out onto the pool deck with her Hawkins lifeguard shirt and hat on. Her red sunglasses glistened in the sun.

She passed a group of women who were sunbathing but looked miserable at the same time.

Walking up to one she said with a smile "my name is Lyla and I'm one of the new lifeguards, is there anything I can do to help make your day better"?

The woman looked up and said "no sweetheart we are alright. Just missing the lifeguard that used to work this shift.

I'm Karen Wheeler, my son Mike and his friends are over in the water. By the way, you're a beautiful young thing, what're you doing wasting it here in Hawkins? You could be a model".

Lyla blushed and replied "thank-you so much but I moved here just to get some relaxing time. My parents were overprotective and strict and when I graduated in June I packed up and moved here to go to the community college. This is so much better than what it was like back in Indianapolis".

Karen smiled genuinely at the young woman. "Well Lyla welcome and hope you come to love Hawkins aswe do," Kate said and laid back down.

Lyla smiled and looked around. She stuck out here that's for sure. Her dark skin clashed with the white but no one really gave her a hard time.

As she surveyed the area she saw a red-haired girl sitting alone at a table, fully dressed flipping aimlessly through a comic.

Her natural need to make people feel better kicked in and she went over to the table and sat down.

"Hi. My name is Lyla, are you here alone?" Lyla asked. The girl looked up. Her eyes were blue and watery. She had been crying.

"My name is Max and my friends are swimming. I just don't feel like it" the girl replied.

Lyla took a breath. "You seem upset Max, you want to talk?" Lyla asked.

"Well my brother who used to be a lifeguard here disappeared six days ago on the Fourth of July and my useless stepfather won't file a report because he's done this shit before or something. I know something bad happened but no one will listen" Max said pounding her fist against the table.

Lyla looked sadly at the girl. She had heard that one of the lifeguards had gone missing and one had left town. She didn't know what to say and before she could she noticed kids running so she had to go stop it.

When she finally got things calmed down she looked back at the table but it was empty.

The rest of her shift was normal but she couldn't get Max off of her mind.

When the pool was finally closed and she had showered and changed she headed to her car.

As she approached she was surprised to see Max laying against a tree close by asleep.

It was getting dark and she couldn't just leave her there. So she went and gently picked her up and surprisingly the girl stayed asleep and she put her in the backseat.

Not knowing what else to do she headed back to the place she was renting a room at. Maybe the owner of the house will know her.

It was a nice place. She had full access to the whole house. She didn't have to pay any bills which made saving for her own place a lot easier and the owner was a nice guy so it all worked out.

Lyla started the car and headed to the place she called home: The Harrington Residence.