After they got off the plane, Eric and Jonathan took an Uber to the hospital. "Have you ever heard of the Stab movies?" Jonathan asked. "They're based on real murders that happened here."

"I've never heard of them," Eric said. "I'm more into supernatural horror."

"You haven't even seen the first one?" Jonathan asked.

"There's plenty of classics I've never seen," Eric said. "I haven't seen Gone with the Wind. Doesn't make me any less of a cinephile."

"Well, the people who made those movies got inspired by real murders," Jonathan explained. "The murders happened in this town, except the ones in 2000. It all started in 1993 when Lonnie cut up his classmates. He was wearing a ghost mask."

"So, they're like every other slasher from that period?" Eric asked.

"It's different," Jonathan said. "The characters are always horror movie savvy. The characters know the rules of horror. Someone tries to get famous and recreate the killing every decade or so. The last set happened right before I ditched town."

"And we came here voluntarily?" Eric asked.

"We have to make sure Will is okay," Jonathan said. "I know my mom isn't here. Or if she is, she's not doing anything."

"I've got your back," Eric said. "Make sure no one who thinks Freddy Krueger is a dude with brilliant ideas comes after you. You know I'm your ride-or-die, but I have one question. Do you know why someone would go after your brother?"

"No," Jonathan said. There's no way someone found out, right?

They arrived at the hospital shortly after. They stopped at the door of Will's room. Jonathan heard voices, guessing it was either a doctor or some of Will's friends. "I'm sure he'll appreciate you coming," Eric said. Jonathan took a deep breath and opened the door.

Will was sitting in his hospital bed. He wasn't a pretty sight. His hand got covered in bandages, and his ankle was in a boot. Jonathan could see more bandages under the hospital gown. Mike, Nancy, Dustin, and Max sat around the hospital bed. Max glared daggers at the older boys.

"Hey," Jonathan said.

"You came," Will said.

"And he brought a plus one," Max responded.

"This is my roommate, Eric," Jonathan explained. "This is Mike and Dustin. I babysat them. Nancy, I wasn't expecting you to be back in town."

"I was visiting already," Nancy responded.

"It's good to see you," Jonathan said. "Nancy and I graduated high school together. And you're-"

"This is Max," Will introduced. "She moved into town last year."

"He's told me all about you," Max said. Jonathan knew she didn't think highly of him based on the tone of her voice.

"Thanks for calling me Dustin," Jonathan said.

"Of course," Dustin answered.

"Have you heard from Mom?" Jonathan said.

"She called me," Will said.

"It barely lasted for ten minutes," Max responded. "I think we should leave them to catch up. Will is also probably tired."

"Yeah, and Mom wants us home," Nancy said. "We're already testing her patience."

"Do you have an inhaler?" Max asked.

"I'll be fine," Will responded.

"I'll come back later," Max said. "Can I get you anything? I think the police have left your house."

"My phone charger," Will requested.

"Okay," Max said. The group left the hospital room. Eric followed them. Once the hospital door closed, Will felt himself about to cry. Jonathan noticed and felt his heartbreak.

"I was so scared," Will confessed. Jonathan goes to hug his brother.

When Will was finally asleep, Jonathan snuck out of the hospital room. He saw a vending machine that had sandwiches and salads. Jonathan hadn't eaten since noon. He noticed Eric was still sleeping outside of the hospital room.

Eric's phone was still running. He was watching the original Stab. There was also a security guard perched outside of Will's room. Jonathan arrived at the recreational area. His phone vibrated.

It was a GIF. It was from the second IT movie. It was Pennywise, the clown terrorizing Richie. "I know your secret," the words on the bottom of the screen said. "Your dirty little secret."

Jonathan stared at his reflection through the vending machine. Ghost Face was right behind him. Jonathan snapped his head around, and the person ran after him. Jonathan made a run for the door.

Ghost Face's blade barely missed Jonathan. Jonathan slammed the door in his attacker's face. He leaned against the door. Eric woke up, and the security guard noticed Jonathan. "I got attacked," Jonathan explained. "They're still in there."

The security guard rushed to the door. Jonathan moved out of the way. The guard opened the door, finding an empty room.