I am so excited to post this... This chapter is where this whole story idea started.
I read through this so much that all the words started to blur together so if there are any errors... well it happens.
As we made our way down the hill towards the lab my heart started beating quicker. The last thing I ever thought I would do was go back to the Hawkins Lab. It was the last place I wanted to be, it was the whole reason I never got El out, why I was always with in reaching distance but never went in. I knew I had a decision to make as we walked faster.
I stopped looking to my right and then took a deep breath closing my eyes trying calm myself down.
"Hey you okay?" Steve asked noticing I stopped. Turning to watch the kids go down he moved towards me. "Look you don't have to… I know this isn't easy."
"That's not… I mean it is…" I said quietly looking over my shoulder. "I know a way in."
"What?" Steve asked confused.
"It's… The tunnel I escaped from years ago, its just a few yards away and…"
"Please tell me you aren't thinking about taking it." He interrupted.
"I am." I nodded. "It's hard to explain but if those things did go back, there are people in there, people that don't deserve any of this and if I can go in and give them a chance…"
"What happened to no heroics?"
"That was for you Steve." I crossed my arms. I wasn't about to tell him that the feeling I had, had come from who I would assume to be El, where ever she was. That she somehow projected Jim and Joyce's images to me when we had reached the top of the hill. "This isn't up for debate or argument. I am not going to take them…" I pointed to the kids still walking in the direction of the front gate, "into the lab where these… things are running around and I am not going to leave them walking around the forest alone."
"You want to go back in to save people that treated you like a lab rat?" he asked lowering his voice.
"I don't think it's just the lab employees in there." I admitted meeting his eyes. He stared at me searching my eyes, trying to come up with a way to convince me to stay, but my mind was made up. As much as it scared me, I knew what I was going to do, with his approval or not. "Just keep them safe, and get to the gate and get it open for anyone trying to escape."
"This is a bad idea." He stated and I gave him a small smile.
"Most of the ideas today have been and bad." I shrugged turning and walking further into the trees. I didn't take me long to find the pipe. I had come back to this spot so many times in the past, hoping El would come through, trying to convince myself to go in and get her… but this time, I couldn't talk myself out of it. I had to go in. Bending down I kneeled next to the grate. It had been broken off and the hinges were rusted over, and as I opened it, it screech loudly.
There was a chance that the Demogorgon's were in this tunnel and I would be a sitting duck once I was in it, but this was the only way to get in quickly. With another look over my shoulder and a shaky breath, I pushed down my fear and ducked into the pipe. On hands and knees, I crawled through dirt and what I hoped was water following the pipe blindly. I wasn't sure how long I had been climbing but eventually I heard the alarm of lab in front of me and could make out the flashing of lights.
As expected, the end of the tunnel was locked on the outside. Looking around I could see anyone or thing around but knew the moment I broke the gate the noise would indicate my arrival and I would have moment to get out. Taking a deep breath, I closed my eyes and mentally reached for the bars on the tunnel exit. Pushing out with everything I had the gate shot across the room and landed with a loud crash. Opening my eyes, I slid from the exit and dropped to my feet just as the scratching of claws got closer. Standing up straight one of the mini Demogorgon creatures watched me, tilting its head curiously. I held my breath waiting for the next move, to my luck I didn't have to wait long. Its mouth opened and it charged at me teeth barred.
Holding out my hand I stopped it mid leap and tossed it over my shoulder. It flew into several pipes and tubing. I heard it whimper and scream as steam poured from the area it had landed. The crash caused a large amount of noise and I could hear the yells from more creatures as they advanced on the area. I didn't wait around any longer, I quickly ran up the stairs and into a storage room as they ran past me. Once I was confident that it was clear I quietly left the room and started walking quickly down the hall. As I hit the main level, the carnage of the Upside Down monsters rampage was everywhere. Scientists were sprawled out covered in bloods, some still carrying the fear they experienced right before their death on their faces. Swallowing I tried to keep my focus on each step I took and the halls in front of me.
It was eerily quiet, every noise was amplified and made my heart race. 'I hope you're right about this,' I whispered to myself as I reached the door El had directed me to. Taking the handle, I took a deep breath before I pushed it open. I jumped back as a gun was pushed in my face.
"Jesus!" I exclaimed. "Put that down."
"Roni?" Mike asked stepping out from behind Jim.
"How's it going nerd." I smiled nodding to him.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Jim hissed as he pulled me through the door and shut it quickly. Joyce wrapped her arms around me quickly and I embraced the warmth before she pulled away and I met Sam Owens confused gaze.
"Veronica?"
"How's it going Doc?" I sighed.
"I thought…"
"Yeah, Brenner made sure everyone thought what he wanted." I interrupted before turning to look at Jim who looked anything but happy. "I'm here to help."
"How did you get in, everythings shut down?" Owens asked.
"I um… I came in the way I left." I shrugged.
"Why the hell would you sneak into a building crawling with those… those things," Jim asked keeping his voice low.
"I was out at the junk yard with Steve and Dustin looking for Dustin's… um… pet?"
"Dart? What happened with Dart?" Mike interrupted.
"He's a Demogorgon, and he ate Dustin's cat." I stated bluntly and his eyes widened. "We were ambushed in the junk yard by over half a dozen of those things, and then they all just left, to come back here. We were all headed to the front gate when I remembered the tunnel and, um… and … Look, you needed help, hunkering in the room isn't going to get him out of here," I nodded to an unconscious Will. "Like it or not I'm here, and I am here to help so that no one else gets hurt, so rather than scold me what's the plan?"
"What about the way you got in, could we get out that way?" Bob asked.
"Not possible." I shook my head crossing my arms and leaning on the desk beside Owens. "When I broke in I wasn't quiet and kinda put a target on that area."
"Okay, well this is us, and this is the nearest exit." Dr. Owens pointed on blueprint, turning around I leaned on the desk and watched as he moved his finger along the path to the closest exit. "But even if we somehow make it there, there's no way out."
"What do you mean?" Jim asked.
"The locks are fail secure." I answered before Owens could and he looked at me as I answered.
"Fail Secure?" Joyce questioned.
"If there's a power outage, the building goes on full lockdown." I answered with a sigh. "I tried to escape more than once… the fail secure was … was my fault after I blew the power the first time."
"Can it be unlocked remotely?" Bob asked.
"With a computer, sure, but somebody's gotta reset the breakers." Dr. Owens stated and I looked up at Jim. I could see the look in his eyes.
"Where are the breakers?"
"Breakers are in the basement," the scientist answered, "three floors down." Jim was already moving towards the door.
"Jim!" I stated just as Bob stepped in front of me.
"Hey, where are you going?" Bob asked grabbing Jim's arm and pulling him away from the door.
"To reset the breakers." Jim answered annoyed.
"Okay then what?" Bob asked and Jim looked over Bob to me. I just shrugged scowling in Bob's direction.
"Then we get the hell out of here?" Jim answered.
"No. Then the power comes back on." Bob shook his head. "If you wanna unlock the doors, you have to completely reboot the computer system, and then override the security codes with a manual input."
"Easy." I stated sarcastically hands on my hips as I let out a breath.
"How do I do that?" Jim asked.
"You can't." Bob stated bluntly, "Unless you know BASIC."
"Pretty sure Jim knows the basics on a computer." I answered.
"No. BASIC."
"I don't know what that means." Jim was getting frustrated.
"It's a computer programming language," Mike answered.
"Okay teach it to me." Jim said.
"Shall I teach you French while I'm at it Jim?" Bob scoffed and I had to bite my lip to keep from laughing. "How about a little German? What about you Doc, you speak BASIC?"
"No." Owens shook his head. Bob turned to look at me his eyes searching and I shook my head.
"I was taught mental manipulation and telekinesis… Computers weren't in the curriculum." I said.
"Okay… I got this." Bob whispered. "I got this."
"No Bob." Joyce said quietly tears in her eyes.
"It's okay," he said softly holding her, "It's gonna be okay. Remember Bob Newby Superhero."
"What if I go with him?" I offered. Jim was already shaking his head before I finished my offer.
"No way, not a chance." He stated.
"Listen, I know this place better than anyone… better then him." I state pointing to Dr. Owens, before looking at him, "and you know it. I blew the breakers on this place more than once."
"I am not sending kid down there, absolutely not." Jim stepped forward so he was in front of me.
"But you'll send him?" I asked raising an eyebrow towards Bob, still holding Joyce. "No offense, but does he look like he can handle a gun? You can't be in two places at once, and you are needed here, to get them out, and make sure they stay alive. If you can't go with Bob then let me, let me do this Jim."
"And if you come upon those things?" he asked.
"Then I take out as many as I can to make sure Bob gets out."
"No see, that, that right there. You are not going to throw your life away…"
"How is it any different then what you would do? You're telling me you wouldn't put yourself between them and those monsters?" I asked.
"Guys." Dr. Owens interrupted. "We don't have time for this, and I agree with Veronica Jim, she is his best chance to get down there and back."
"Gotta say I wouldn't mind having the back up too." Bob shrugged. Looking back at Jim he looked like he was about to argue again before finally relenting and throwing his hands in the air.
"Fine." He stated moving to the door. "Come with me." Following Jim out into the hall I stood at the end of it as he grabbed a dead guard and dragged him towards us.
"Okay, grab his walkie." Jim instructed and Bob took the radio his hands shaking. "Alright you know how to use one of these?"
"No." Bob state looking at the gun Jim was holding out to him. Looking back at me I shrugged and smirked as Jim sighed and turned back to Bob.
"Okay, look, safety on. Safety off. Point. Squeeze."
"Point and squeeze." Bob nodded repeating Jim's words. "Okay, easy-peasy."
"If anything happens down there I want you to come right back up." Jim said firmly as he stood walking towards me his hands resting on my shoulder. "Both of you."
"Got it." I nodded looking away from him, a lump growing in my throat.
"Listen, Jim. Don't wait for us. As soon as we get those doors open…"
"I'm gonna get them out." Jim reaffirmed. "I promise."
"Okay… well, I'll be in touch." He said. Stepping from Jims grasp I grabbed Bob's shirt and started leading him down the hallway. As we made our way down the halls I could feel Bob shaking beside me and his breathing quicken every time we heard a noise. The stairs were right across the hall. Taking a step out into the clearing movement caught my eye down the perpendicular hall we had to cross. I stepped back and bumped into Bob. Moving quickly I turned I pushed him backwards and covered his mouth.
"Shh." I hushed quietly. I could hear Jim and Owen's yelling at Bob in his ear but I was more focused on each clawed step, as they got closer. Taking a breath, I closed my eyes and searched the hall in my head. I could see the creature moving towards us, but at the far end there was a door wide open. I opened my eyes quickly as the door slammed shut. The scurrying turned and ran down to the door as I pulled Bob forward and through the door to the stairs closing it softly. Slowly we made our way to the level with the breakers. As we moved through the damp walkway, a vent above us hissed and Bob jumped knocking into me.
"Shit." I stated after he startled me.
"Sorry." He apologized, "Keep it together Bob."
"We're almost there, you got this." I tried to reassure him, he gave me a small smile but didn't seem agree. Pushing open the breaker room door bodies were scattered along the floor leading to the back office.
"Oh God." I heard Bob behind me.
"Hey." I said softly turning around to look at the man. "Just keep your eyes up, okay. Don't look down." He nodded as we stepped over the bodies carefully, until we reached the room with the computer that would hopefully reset the breakers.
"Okay, here we go." Bob stated finding the breaker switch and turning the power on. Lights and generators started whirring to life around us. "Yeah loud and clear Doc, Can you hear me back?" Bob spoke into his headset to who I assumed was Doctor Owens. "All right give me a minute." He pulled the earpiece out and handed it to me. "Take this."
"What am I supposed to do with this?" I asked taking the radio and the earpiece awkwardly.
"Talk to them, I need to work." He said quickly before turning back to the computer. Putting the earpiece in my ear, I stared at the radio before clicking it.
"Hey Doc." I said softly leaning on the wall. "Did I ever tell you that you were my favorite while I was here." I heard him chuckle on the other line and smiled to myself. "I never got a chance to thank you Sam, for that night… I wouldn't have made it out without you."
"Brenner came back, he said it had been taken care of. I was sure he meant you were…"
"Yeah I'm sure he would have preferred to dispatch me rather than let me run around." I sighed. "I don't think he would have kept me alive as long as he did if you hadn't been there."
"You scared him." He said in my ear and I bit my lip at his words. "He couldn't control you and that scared him."
"Come on." Bob said from the computer typing wildly. "Okay, open sesame."
"Here we go." I stated to Dr. Owens as Bob hit a key that signaled the doors opening.
"Okay, easy-peasy." Bob smiled turning to me.
"Way to go Bob." I stated smiling back at him, handing him back the headset.
"Okay we'll meet you outside." Bob said into it.
"Lets get out of here." I nodded in the direction of our exit and Bob followed only to grab my arm and pull me back.
"What's going on?" Bob asked holding the earpiece into his ear. Looking up at me, he paled, "Where…. Okay, I got an idea." Bob quickly passed me the walkie-talkie and earpiece before walking back to the computer.
"What's going on?" I asked putting the earpiece in my ear.
"West stairwell isn't clear." Owens stated and I tensed moving towards Bob watching over his shoulder as he typed something into the computer.
"And… Splash." He said and the sprinkler system turned on.
"Okay… Okay that worked." Doctor Owens said a bit surprised. "Now get out of there. Go!"
"Come on," I said pulling Bobs arm with me as we left the room and started running up the stairs. Once we were at the top of the third floor, we stopped and I waited for Bob to catch his breath.
STEVE POV
She didn't even give me a chance to argue. She was gone, walking into the trees leaving me to make a decision between following her or the kids. She knew which one I would choose, which is why she was able to just walk away. I knew the moment the words left my lips at school I had made a mistake. Billy and Tommy had made comments about Nancy and insinuated ideas of Roni and I lost it. I thought maybe putting some distance between us would take the heat off her, and help me clear my head, but I was wrong. It was worse, I couldn't stop thinking about her. I knew I should be concerned that Nancy had gone AWOL but every time I focused on Nancy my brain would filter back to Veronica.
I had spent so much time trying to win Nancy, having any feelings relatively close to that for anyone else felt wrong. When Dustin had found me, I was going over to Nancy's to apologize, to apologize for ditching her and for making her feel the way she did. However, I was in no way apologizing for what she said to me or Roni, that was her own issues she needed to work out. I wanted to clear the air, to start fresh, with whomever that would be with.
As I caught up to the kids Dustin looked at me and then around me scowling.
"Where's Roni?" he asked stopping. The rest of the kids stopped as well trying to look through the dark.
"She went a different direction." I muttered. "Let's keep going."
"A different direction..?" Lucas questioned as I passed. "You let her go out there alone!"
"Okay hold on," I turned quickly the light of my flashlight blinding them. "I didn't 'let' her do anything. She made her own decision, and honestly, we know she can protect herself.
"Well yeah… I'm just saying if those things are out there…"
"She would rather I be here to keep you safe than the other way around." I finished. Before anyone could respond there was noise a few feet away from us.
"Who's there?" The voice called. Scowling I ignored the conversation we were just having and started moving through the brush. "Who's there!" the voice yelled again just as we made it through the clearing.
"Steve?" Nancy asked confused. Nancy and Jonathan were standing in the driveway in front of the lab both looking terrified.
"Nancy?" I questioned.
"Jonathan?" Dustin asked behind me as they kids filed out into the clearing.
"What are you doing here?" She asked.
"What are you doing here?" I repeated. I looked between her and Jonathan and they both seemed to try to avoid each other's eyes contact. They had disappeared for a day and what ever happened between them, it was clear Nancy and I were done.
"We're looking for Mike and Will." Nancy explained and I instantly looked at the lab and thought back to what Roni had told me before leaving to get into the Lab. 'It's hard to explain… there are people in there, people that don't deserve any of this and if I can go in and give them a chance…' Did she know Mike and Will might have been in there?
"They're not in there are they?" Dustin asked pointing to the building.
"We're not sure." Nancy crossed her arms and shook her head.
"Why?" Jonathan asked. Before Dustin could explain, a loud screeching and cry came from the lab startling all of us. We all ran back down to the gate, pointlessly attempting to open it by yanking on the barred metal in front of us while Jonathan anxiously tried every button in the booth.
'I don't think it's just the lab employees in there…' That's what she had said. She knew they were in there, she went in to get them out, because she knew somehow. "Shit, that's what she meant." I cursed running a hand through my hair.
"Who?" Nancy asked.
"Roni." I sighed looking up at the sky. "She said she didn't think there were just lab employees in there."
"Wait Roni is here?" She questioned a little nervous. Something told me they hadn't talked since school.
"She was." Dustin answered. "It was cool, she took out like four of them with just a flick of her wrist in the junk yard…"
"Junk yard?" Jonathan interrupted.
"We were on our way back here and she remembered the way she got out years ago and went that way." I ignored him and explained.
"Wait, like she went back in there… by herself?" Nancy pointed to the dark building and I closed my eyes nodding. "What the hell Steve?"
"What should I have done Nance? Follow her and leave them?" I asked frustrated standing up straight. "It wasn't my idea for her to run back in there, she chose to, and left me out here to babysit."
"Babysit?" Dustin whispered quietly offended. Lights around us came on simultaneously and everyone watched as the laboratory lit up.
"The powers back." Nancy said, Jonathan was moving before she finished. I could hear him flipping switches in the security booth but the gate wasn't moving.
"Let me try." Dustin said pushing his way into the booth. I could hear Jonathan argue but Dustin was resilient. "Let. Me. Try. Jonathan… Son of a bitch! You know what…" When there first time hitting buttons didn't work Dustin continued until the click and started to open. "Hey… I got it." He laughed and Jonathan ran to his car jumping in. Before any of us could argue or get in, he and Nancy were already driving down the long driveway. I watched as the car moved away and listened to the howling from the lab, a bit of dread growing in my stomach.
VERONICA POV
"Alright Veronica, I'm gonna guide you okay?" the doctor said.
"Any particular reason?" I questioned seeing Bob stare at me concerned.
"No, it's just… it's uh, getting a little crowded up here, so we're gonna have to take this slow." He explained.
"Alright Doc, lead the way." I said taking a deep breath.
"All right, just start walking." He said into my ear and I motioned to Bob with my head as we slowly headed down the hall. "Okay now your next right. Keep going, keep going, keep going… STOP!" I froze and Bob ran into my back. Turning I put my fingers to my lips.
"What?" Bob whispered to me.
"Veronica, there is a door on your left, do you see it?" Doctor Owens said and I looked at the door.
"Yeah, the closet, I see it." I answered quietly.
"I need you to get in it."
"Sam, what's going on?" I asked anxiously looking over my shoulder.
"Now! Right now." He shouted and I quickly opened the closet door and pushed Bob and shutting it behind us. We stood in the enclosed space listening to the sounds outside the door. A few seconds later, there was a growling sound and footsteps out the door. Bob was shaking and I held my breath as I watched the shadow under the door. Looking up at Bob I tried to give him a reassuring smile, but I was just as scared. If that thing found us, the others would be on top of us in no time. Another minute passed, the footsteps disappeared, and Doctor Owen's sigh of relief came through the walkie. "Jesus Christ, okay how you two holding up?"
"Peachy." I breathed out and Bob nodded.
"You got a pretty clear shot to the front door." Sam said and I swallowed slowly opening the closet door. "You can do this, you're almost home free."
Taking a step out of the closet and walked a few steps away looking down the hall in the direction the creature had left hoping it wouldn't turn around. As I turned, I watched Bob try to catch a broom and before I could even get my hand up to stop it, it clattered to the floor.
"Run!" Doctor Owens called in my ear. Looking up at Bob I grabbed the front of his shirt and pulled him in front of me just as the growl and yell of the creature rounded the corner.
"Go!" I shouted dropping the radio. Through the halls I could hear the calls of more of them and knew we only had moments. Stopping I turned to face the monster.
"What are you doing?" Bob yelled stopping, starting to run back to me.
"Go! Get the hell out of here, I'll keep them busy!"
"But…"
"Now!" I turned around just as the Demogorgon was in front of me. I could only hope that Bob listened. Flicking my head up the creature lifted into the air and with a snap of my finger the neck cracked and it fell limp to the ground. Turning I ran towards the doors and crashed through them just as Bob was tackled by the monsters. "No!" I yelled and held my hand out lifting one of them off him and throwing it across the room as far as I could. Moving towards him I could hear Joyce scream as more creatures came towards us, Bob cried out from the ground in pain as teeth gnawed into him. Furiously I crushed one that was stalking towards the injured man by clenching my fist, its bones crumbling.
Before I could move any closer a Demogorgon crashed into me. I fell to my side and felt claws pierced my side, another set running down my arm. I yelled in pain. With an angry, pained yell I pushed three of the creatures off me using my ability, throwing them into the wall a few feet away. Turning I saw Bob covered in blood and felt tears come to my eyes. I had to save him… A tug on my leg caught my attention and I was dragged away from him by one of the monsters. Trying to kick it off several shots went off and the one dragging me away fell. Looking up Jim was running over to me, gun in hand. I tried to push myself to my feet but the pain in my side and arm made it difficult.
Throwing my arm over his shoulder, he lifted me into his arm while he used his free hand to hold his gun out and shoot at the beasts as he backed us towards the door.
"Jim… Bob, we have to…" I ground out weakly struggling against him.
"He's gone Veronica, we have to go." He shook his head and my breath caught in my throat as I looked at Bob laying lifeless on the floor arm outstretched, multiple Demogorgon's feeding off of him.
"What's going on?" Mike asked anxiously as we exited the building shutting the doors just as the creatures ran towards us. Jim eased me back on my feet and I leaned heavily on the wall sliding down my right hand pressing firmly to my left side. Gritting my teeth I risked a look and the sleeve of my shirt was shredded, my arm underneath was covered in blood and based on the sticky feeling between my fingers at my side; it was torn up pretty bad too. Joyce was beside me crying as Jim tried to consul her just as a horn beeped up the driveway.
"Come on!" Jonathan yelled out the window. "Get in!" He was out of the car instantly help his mom and Will into his car.
"Go, we'll follow!" Jim yelled leaning down to help me up again. With Mike on my other side we ran, painfully towards his truck. Swinging the door open, they helped me into the back of the truck before Mike got in the front seat. Slumping in the seat I squeezed my eyes shut grimacing as Jim pulled out of the spot and sped down the road. "How you doing Roni." He asked.
"Awesome." I stated weakly just as he hit the breaks.
"Lets go!" Jim yelled out the window and Mike opened the door pushing the back seat back to let Dustin, Lucas, Max and Steve in.
"Holy Shit." Dustin cursed when he saw me staring wide-eyed. Once Steve was in Jim hit the gas again. Looking over his shoulder his scowl deepened and I tried to shrug it off as not being as bad as it looked, but I don't think I was convincing.
"Henderson switch with me." Steve instructed crawling over the front seat pushing Dustin forward. Lucas and Max were as far over on the other side of the back seat as possible as Steve tried to evaluate the situation.
"If I told you it looks worse than it is would you believe me?" I asked quietly as he pulled up a part of the sleeve on my left arm.
"Not even a little." He said without looking at me.
"Here, try and put as much pressure on it as possible." Jim said from the front seat tossing an old blanket back at Steve. His forehead was wrinkled with concern and his eyebrow knitted together as he carefully pulled my hand aware from my side. I heard him take a harsh intake of breath, but he didn't say anything as he placed the blanket on it and used his hands to press. I groaned loudly biting my lip to keep from yelling as he pressed harder. Closing my eyes, I clenched my fist and brought my good arm up to cover my face.
"Sorry." I heard him mutter but I couldn't respond, the pain was white hot.
"What the hell happened in there?" Dustin asked.
"We were trapped, Bob… he… Roni and him went down to the breaker room to turn on the power." Mike stuttered. At the mention of the man that had been left behind I felt a new pain and I uncover my eyes and opened them to find Steve staring at me.
"Bobs with you? Where is he?" Lucas asked from behind Steve. Tears built up in my eyes and Steve watched as I tried to blink them away.
"He… he didn't…" Mike couldn't finish the sentence.
"I tried," I croaked out with a shaky breath. "He was right there… I couldn't get to him, I… I tried, but I couldn't…"
"Hey it's okay, lets worry about you." Steve tried to comfort but I had to look away as a few rogue tears spilled down my cheeks. The rest of the drive was in silence, Steve continuing to hold pressure to my side as I did my best to avoid his worried glances.
Hope this turned out okay and you enjoyed it.
Next chapter is already in the works.
any suggestions, comments, likes, follows, etc... are always appreciated.