Well... this chapter kind of took on a mind of its own and is longer than originally intended. Originally i had planned for this to be the final chapter in "season 3" however i feel like I need to break up everything or its just too much happening all at once.
Anyway. Hope this isn't too choppy to read.
Really quick… I did want to address a comment I had about possibly missing chapters at the beginning. I did go through all the chapters to make sure all the ones i had were posted in order. Chapter 1 starts at Season 2 and has several flashbacks but I wanted to reassure you, you are not missing any previous chapters. I did not write any season 1 chapters for this story as I just couldn't get them to flow the way I wanted. That being said if you would like me to go back at some point I am happy to do so and write season 1, but currently for the storyline I was going for I didn't feel it was needed
I will be working on the next chapter along with starting to prep to go into season 4.
I still had a goofy smile on my face when I walked back into the mall. When I looked up everyone was working on the plan to get to safety and take out Russian except Nancy who was standing with Jonathan and Murray a wide smile on her face.
"Don't say it." I mumbled biting my lip as I passed her.
"Not sure what you're talking about." She laughed before focusing back on Murray as he held up a key ring full of keys and explained what each one was responsible for.
"So first I have to worry about Mike and now I have to worry about him?" Jim asked as I made my way towards him and El.
"Relax, he's harmless." I rolled my eyes.
"He's a guy, I find that hard to believe." Jim said but I just brushed off his comment and sat down beside El.
"My battery's low, but…" El stopped and took a deep breath, "It will recharge."
"I know it will kid." Jim sighed, "I know."
"I can fight." El insisted.
"No one thinks you can't El." I nudged her, "but there are some fights that we can't be part of and this… this is one of them."
"I need you safe kids… both of you." Jim said softly, "This, this thing is after you, it's not after me…. do you understand me?" I watched as El turned and looked at her hands, but Jim was quick to draw her attention again. "Hey, I need you to understand."
"Hey." Mike called, interrupting the conversation. The kid stood awkwardly a few feet away trying to avoid Jim's glare. "We should uh… we should probably go." El gave Jim a hug, one that only a daughter could give a father, one that answered all the unanswered questions Jim had asked. Once she let the older man go, she stood with help from me and limped to Mike.
"Mike." Jim called and I watched as Mike hesitated before turning around. "Be careful." The kid nodded and started walking beside El slowly.
"Couldn't even say 'thank you' or 'sorry' huh?" I asked stuffing my hands in my pockets.
"It was implied." Jim shrugged.
"Was it though?" I raised an eyebrow at him. "You realize he really cares for her right? Like you aren't gonna find anyone better for her."
"Doesn't mean I have to like it." Jim grumbled and I laughed.
"Jim." I sighed the air around us getting heavy again. "When you get down there it's gonna be… I just want to say…"
"It's gonna be fine kid." Jim interrupted putting his hands on my shoulder. "We're going to get through this, just like the last time."
"This time feels different." I said softly.
"Hey." He said and I looked up at him. "You keep yourself safe, you look out for you and make sure you stay safe. You let me worry about shutting that gate."
"Yeah." I gave him a small smile before hugging him and then followed Mike and El out with the others. Max was quick to get on El's other side helping Mike support her to Nancy's car parked only a few feet from the entrance of the mall.
"El you're bleeding." Max commented and I glanced down at her leg noting the blood soaking her pant leg.
"Are you okay?" Mike asked concerned.
"Yeah." El nodded though her face said otherwise. I moved around the two and opened the back hatch of the car and helped El get in followed by Mike and Max. Closing the door I went around to the side of the car and got in beside Will while Nancy got into the driver's seat and turned her key. The engine started clicking but never started and a growing pit grew in my stomach.
"What's wrong?" Jonathan asked.
"I don't know." Nancy said as she tried to turn the car over again. "You can't be serious. Come on!"
"Didn't your mom just buy this car?" Lucas questioned leaning forward.
"Yes, I'm sure it's fine." Nancy stated frustrated.
"Did you leave the lights on?" Will offered.
"No." Nancy exclaimed.
"Do we have gas?"
"Yes!" the panic was clear in Nancy's voice as she continued to try and force the car to turn over. "Come on!"
"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Jonathan grabbed her hand. "Just stop. Pop the hood." I followed the two of them out. Helping Jonathan lift the hood of the car up I leaned forward has he looked at the engine of Nancy's vehicle. "What the hell?"
"What?" Nancy asked.
"The ignition cable's gone." Jonathan said and I scowled a sudden shiver running down my spine. Before anyone could say anything else an engine roared to life in the empty parking lot making us jump and turn around. Light on the Camero illuminated the area and sitting in the driver's seat was Billy.
"Shit." I cursed running around to the back of the car lifting the trunk door.
"Back in the mall!" Nancy exclaimed. I stayed behind the group as El was helped inside by Mike and Max, my eyes never leaving Billy's as he continued to rev the engine of his car.
Back inside the mall Mike paced in front of El and I, trying to contact Dustin while Nancy and Jonathan searched the mall for a way out. Kneeling in front of El I took her injured leg in my hands and slowly unwrapped the injury. She hissed but kept her foot still. Max came over with new bandages and I carefully rewrapped the injury, trying to make it as tight as possible without causing more discomfort for her.
"Scoops Troop, do you copy?" Mike called for the third or fourth time now with nothing but static, as a response. "Scoops Troop, do you copy! Scoops Troop I repeat do you copy? We are trapped in the mall in need of emergency transportation. Scoops Troop do you copy? Billy has found us."
Standing Nancy pulled a gun from a dead Russian guard and pulled the magazine out checking the bullets it still had. I noticed Max watching her and knew she understood what it would be for. Clearing my throat Nancy looked up at me and I gave her a slight nod in Max's direction.
"You're gonna kill him, aren't you?" Max asked her voice waivered as she spoke.
"This is just a precaution, okay." Nancy tried to give her a reassuring smile, but one look at me told me she wasn't going to hesitate where Billy was concerned, not after everything that had happened that day.
"And not just against Billy." Will offered, trying to comfort his friend. "If he knows we're here, so does the Mind Flayer."
"Scoops Troop, I repeat do you copy." Mike tried again the frustration he felt laced in his voice. "Do you copy!?"
"No chance that thing will drive right?" Nancy asked, coming up beside me looking at the upturned car El had thrown earlier.
"Even if it could, we'd still have to go out the front." I gave her a half smile before nodding towards the doors, I could still make out Billy's headlights in the parking lot. "Doubt he's gonna let us just drive away."
"I don't think we need it to drive." Jonathan said walking up behind us. "We just need the ignition cable."
"Okay what about him?" I asked pointing to Billy.
"Let's just get the cable first, then worry about Billy." I groaned and rolled my eyes as Nancy rounded up the kids and ushered them to the other side of the car. Amused, I watched as they attempted to push the car over with little to show for it when the car still remained on its side. Sighing, I walked towards the car prepared to flip it but El stood in front of me giving me a pleading look before turning towards the car.
"Let me try." she said quietly.
"El..." Mike started to argue but I cleared my throat and shook my head. Standing beside her, the other stood off to the side watching, and waiting for the car to move. El held her hand out, and the lights around us began to flicker. I could see the trickle of blood flow from her nose as she closed her eyes and groaned, the car across from her making noises as it adjusted. Other than the small movement of the car, rocking on its side, it remained unmoved and when El opened her eyes, she was breathing heavily, exhausted and confused. She turned to me scowling, but I couldn't answer the question in her eyes. I had no idea why her powers were no longer working. Walking towards her I held on to her shoulders before she stumbled to the ground and nodded to Max and Mike to help her sit off to the side.
Once they were out of the way I turned my attention back to the car. Looking at Nancy quickly she nodded, and I closed my eyes reaching my hand out. The car groaned as I forced it to move and with a flick of my wrist it slammed to the ground on all four tires.
"How do we get it open?" Nancy asked, her and Jonathan quickly worked to open the hood of the car. I turned around watching El walk towards a garbage can and I frowned as she began digging through it.
"What's she doing?" Max asked, walking up to me with Mike. Standing up straight El carried an empty soda can to a ledge by one of the stores. Setting the can down she began staring at it and I realized what she was doing.
"Thats how we trained, it was one of the first things they had us do at the lab." I sighed crossing my arms. "When they wanted to test if the procedures worked, if we had the mental ability they were looking for, they would start by having us crush a can..." Mike slowly walked towards El followed by Max.
"El?" Mike called softly and slowly the girl turned around looking defeated.
"Are you okay?" Max asked.
From the corner of my eye, I caught Will reaching for his neck, his eyes wide with fear. Scowling, I opened my mouth to call out to him but a sudden movement from my other side had Max stepping away from El and Mike and looking up at the ceiling. Following her line of sight, I watched as a shadow covered the clear ceiling and the glass started to buckle under its weight.
"Mike." I heard Max call as the shadow moved further onto the ceiling the sound of cracking glass getting louder.
"Nancy!" Mike yelled across the area to his sister. I was already running, grabbing Max as I did and pushing Mike in front of me. Mike took hold of El and started running just as the glass overhead gave way and the Mind Flayer's monster dropped through the ceiling landing with a loud roar.
STEVE POV
Dustin was definitely in his element. From the moment we got out of the car and walked up to his radio tower thing, he was connecting wires and hitting buttons... it was all very... nerdy. As he communicated with the guy, Murray, in the Russian bunker I stood a few feet away keeping an eye on them. My mind kept filtering back to Roni, and what she had said.
I realized I had hurt her, that she was pissed. When I walked out of that building the last thing, I expected was for her to run after me. And even then, she hadn't hesitated when she kissed me, but she had turned to walk away before I could respond. I was running back to her before I knew what my legs were doing and right there, I had done what I had wanted to do since the winter ball, what I had been too scared to do for months, but in that moment, I was more scared that I wouldn't get a chance again.
"This is what?" Dustin asked Erica and I brought my attention back to the two of them as they helped the older man navigate the air shafts through the underground Russian base. I was still trying to figure out how they managed to do it without getting lost.
"The fourth junction," Erica answered easily.
"All right, so if memory serves, this is right after the 'My Little Pony' thesis." Dustin said thinking out loud. Robin looked back at me, and I just shrugged, I had no idea what he was referring to, but Erica was adamite to not ask.
"We went left, so he has to go..." Erica looked at the map and then back at Dustin pausing only for a second.
"Right." they both stated, and Dustin was quick to get back on the radio "Fly right bald eagle." I heard static from the radio, but my attention was to lights flashing down in the city below us. There in the center of the flashing lights was the Star Court Mall.
"Hey guys!" I called already walking away from the radio device the others following behind me as we stared at the area of town our friends were in. The lights all around the mall were flickering wildly and dread washed over me as I realized that it wasn't a good sign. Turning, Dustin was the first to make it to the radio yelling into the walkie-talkie.
"Griswold family do you copy!" Dustin yelled panic in his voice. There was no response on the other end as static came through the device and fear set in. As Dustin tried again an audible roar sounded from the other end and both Dustin and Erica looked up at Robin and me. I wanted to believe they weren't there, that they got out, but logic said, if 'it' was there, so were they. Mike had said the monster was looking for El, which meant it had found her... and if I knew Roni, she wasn't about to leave El, which meant she was there too. "Griswold family, this is Scoops Troop! Please confirm your safety!" Dustin tried again but with no response I was already running down the hill.
"Where are you going?" Erica called.
"To get them the hell out of there!" I turned around to answer. "Stay here and contact the others!" and then my feet were pulling me down the hill as fast as I could Robin following close behind. Peeling away from the area where we had parked the car, I gripped the wheel tightly and pressed on the gas, refusing to heed to the road speed.
"Dude, I'm sure they're fine." Robin tried to calm the fear and panic. Pursing my lips together I nodded but I didn't look at her. She didn't know this thing like I did... I didn't know this thing... this was different then Demo-dogs and Demogorgon's... this was Godzilla and Jurassic Park. The lights on the road flickered faster and brighter as we got closer. "Is that Nancy?" Robin asked pointing towards a person standing in front of a car pointing a gun at an incoming Camero. "What the hell is she doing?"
"Hold on." I said, pressing my foot on the pedal so the car sped up and just as the Camero was about to reach Nancy we smashed into the side of it, pushing it skidding to the side. Upon impact I braced my arms to keep from shooting forward but that did not stop my head from jarring forward and slamming into the steering wheel. My already pounding head seemed to be exploding as I lifted it up grimacing.
"Are you okay?" I asked looking over at Robin who seemed to be trying to process what had happened.
"Ask me tomorrow?" she shrugged giving me a small unsure smile. I started to chuckle but something on over the mall caught my eye, and I couldn't help but let my mouth drop as I lifted myself up to stand in the car. Robin followed my gaze and gasped as a creature... a large fleshy monster... crawled its way from the center of the mall so it was perched on the roof before letting out a massive roar. Nancy pulled her car up next to ours as we stared at it unable to move.
"Get in!" She yelled and Robin and I wasted no time jumping from the convertible and into the back of Nancy's car eyeing the creature as it descended the mall and started pursuing us as Jonathan quickly put the car in gear. Turning around for a second I made note of everyone in the car, and dread settled in when there were a few people missing.
"Where's Veronica?" I asked sitting up to lean up against the back seats between Lucas and Will. They both looked away and I looked at Nancy who was looking at Jonathan nervously.
"And the super girl... El?" Robin added but I didn't turn to look, I was more focused on the uneasy feeling I was getting from everyone in the car.
"There... uh, we got separated." Nancy answered and I would swear my eyes nearly popped out of my head.
"You left them there?" I exclaimed as the monster behind us roared.
"My brothers in there too..." Nancy remarked her tone harsh. "It's not like we had a choice, they went one way, we went another."
"But..."
"Roni was the reason we got out." Will said quickly, earning a hiss from Nancy.
"When Max, El and Mike got stuck in The Gap... Roni distracted the thing and gave us time to get out." Lucas finished.
"I'm sure she's fine." Robin said putting her hand on my shoulder pulling me back to side across from her. "Plus, that Flayed Monster thingy is chasing us right now, which is better than being at the mall attacking them... I think." As if on cue the monster made another ugly sound and I looked out the back window as it stomped towards us.
VERONICA'S POV
The moment the glass shattered from the ceiling our group was divided. I wasn't sure where Nancy, Jonathan, Will and Lucas ended up. Max, Mike and El sat in front of me, backs to a vendor cart as I knelt in front of them finger to my lips as we listened to the crunching of glass from the monster moving around searching. Mike lifted his head up a little to look over the cart and quickly ducked behind it again.
"It's turned away, if we go up the stairs now, we'll make it." Mike whispered and I scowled looking over the cart at the large monster. There was no way they would make it up without being noticed, this thing was too big, had too many arms.
"No way, not with El's leg." Max hissed looking down at her friend's injured limb.
"We have to try." Mike said.
"He's right." I nodded. "But the stairs aren't an option, that thing will be on you before you get to the third step."
"There's another way…" El said softly and then looked to her left at the store a few yards away. "Through The Gap." I looked at her and then to the store before looking back at the monster, still with its back turned.
"Okay, if you're going to go, go." I said but El grabbed my hand scowling. "I'll stay back make sure you get through, you need to go El, the thing wants you."
"Come with us." She pleaded with tears in her eyes.
"I need to stay here," I shook my head and then looked at Mike and Max.
"Okay." Mike agreed. "Now!" I watched as they lifted El up and walked towards the store. I quickly replaced them and knelt directly behind the vendor cart looking up over the top. I hadn't realized I was holding my breath as I watched the kids run through the store until there was a crash within it and the monster turned towards it. I cursed as the monster slithered closer to the store and took a step back from the kiosk, I was behind. Standing I lifted my hand and closed my eyes focusing on the cart until it lifted freely into the air. With a push of my hand the cart flew at the monster and the cart crashed to the ground in a pile. The monster spun around and found me standing, arms outstretched. Readjusting itself, it was now facing me, the store it had once been investigating at its back, and let out a loud ear-shattering yell before one of its legs shot towards me.
Gritting my teeth, I used both hands to keep the appendage from getting to me and from the corner of my eye I could see Lucas peering at me from behind the car we had flipped over earlier. Groaning, I pushed the monster back and grabbed the nearest table behind me throwing it at its face. The being's head snapped back, and it cried in anger and pain. "Run." I said loud enough for them to hear me. I wasn't sure if they understood, because the next thing I knew the monster was rushing towards me, the full force of its body running into the energy field I had quickly put up protecting myself.
The monster continued screaming and wailing and I could feel the blood pouring from my nose as I tried to take a step forward to push the monster back. For a second it seemed to be working, it looked like I had the upper hand, until I felt something wrap around my leg. The feeling took me by surprise and the control over the monster I had had disappeared. The tentacle around my leg yanked and then I was 'flying' through the air, the mall a blur as I tried to get my bearings and protect my head. I could feel the tentacle release and then all I felt was overwhelming pain as my body smashed through one of the shop windows. Glass and clothing fell around me. I had no energy to lift myself off the ground. Everything hurt, and as the dark spots filled my vision, I could make out the blurred figure or the monster just as it started to climb towards the top of the building and then... the darkness took over.
Waking up came quickly as a loud thud and crash came from the center of the mall. Groaning, I slowly pushed myself up and tried to shake the glass from my hair. Reaching a hand to my pounding head I pulled my fingers back seeing bright red covering them. The whole left side of my face felt wet and sticky, and I cringed and forced myself to not touch any of it. I knew what it was, and I knew it had to be because of the glass I had landed on, but I didn't need to know how bad it was, not yet. Wincing, I slowly made my way to my feet and staggered a few steps until I could hold onto a display stand. Everything hurt, and I was sure something, or things were broken now. Breathing hurt, my shoulder ached, and my wrist nearly caused me to fall on my face again when I put pressure on it to hold myself up.
However, all the pain I felt was quickly forgotten when the lights flickered again, and I watched as Billy carried an unconscious El over his shoulder to the center of the room, a few yards in front of me. Kneeling he placed El on the ground, and then I saw the dark shadow of the large monster crawling back into the mall. I was moving forward just as Billy was leaning down to say something to El, who appeared to be waking up. The monster stood in front of her, and I could see her start to back away in panic as it reached for her.
Gritting my teeth, I stepped out of the broken store window and raised my hand up grabbing ahold of Billy who was trying to hold El down. He was frozen where he stood as I stalked up behind him tossing him behind me into the store I had exited. I heard him yell as he hit something, but I didn't turn around. I quickly ran in front of El and put both hands out just as the monster's mouth opened up and a separate tentacle came out ready to attach itself to her. The monsters hissed and cried as I yelled loudly pushing the creature back.
"Roni," I could hear El behind me, but the sound was muffled, all my strength was focused on the monster and trying to keep it from getting any further. Strong arms came around me and my concentration was broken, as I was thrown to the ground, a boot clad foot connecting with my side forcing the air from my lungs. I coughed and groaned curling into myself just as Billy gripped my sweatshirt to lift me closer to him, his fist raised. I was already cringing as the fist was about to make its connection when sparks erupted behind him, against the monster and Billy cried out in pain releasing me.
"Flay this you ugly piece of shit!" I heard Lucas yell from somewhere above me. Coughing I held my side rolling so I could push myself up. Through my blurred vision I could make out fireworks exploding all around the Mind Flayer monster, and it screamed in agony, its own pain reciprocated through Billy.
"Hey asshole!" That was Steve and I quickly looked up, making out his dorky uniform on one of the second story balcony's just as he threw something at the beast, and it exploded in an array of colors. "Over here!" The fireworks were coming from all directions and the distraction left Billy holding his head screaming. On hands and knees, I crawled towards El. She was quick to wrap her arms around me.
"We gotta go." I wheezed out when I pulled away from her. She nodded but her eyes got suddenly wide and before I could ask something slammed against the side of my head and I collapsed stars and spots filling my vision. Through the haze I could hear El screaming and as I blinked away the tears, I could see Billy dragging her towards the monster still trying to fight off the fireworks. My head was spinning, and I couldn't find my footing as I struggled to move towards El just as Billy slammed her back into the ground yelling in her face. It felt like all my senses had been dulled but through the thick fog I could make out Els panicked screams and cries for Billy to stop and that alone gave me enough strength to lift myself to my knees and throw my hands out in front of me. A final yell of exhaustion, anger and frustration came from me as I was able to lift the monster slightly before throwing it backwards. I was spent, dropping to my hands I tried to catch my breath and watched as blood pooled under me, dripping freely from my nose and head.
There was a yell of frustration from somewhere around me, but my reflexes felt sluggish, and I barely lifted my head up as Billy stalked over to me, pure rage on his face. Taking ahold of the front of my sweatshirt he forced me to my feet, before spinning around so my back was flush against his chest, one of his arms wrapping firmly around my neck. His arm started to squeeze, and I could feel the air struggle to reach my lungs as I fought to get him to release me, but the effort was useless. He walked us forward until we were standing in front of El, in front of the monster.
"We have had enough of your interfering." Billys voice whispered in my ear sending a chill down my spine. I groaned as he pulled one of my arms behind my back and tightened his grip around my neck. The monster seemed to tilt its head watching me, even with fireworks going off around him he moved forward its mouth opening. There was yelling from the balcony and a explosion went off next to the monster's face causing it to flinch away.
"Billy." I struggled to say as my free hand scratched at his forearm, trying to loosen the hold on my neck. "Billy, please... yo... you don't have to..to..." every word came out in a rasp, and I wasn't sure he could even hear me. "I know th..this isnt you, you are bet..ter then this." Billy growled in my ear as the monster edged closer. "I'm sorry." I said and the grip on my neck loosened slightly. "I'm sorry, Billy... you didn't deserve this... don't.. Don't deserve th..this. I...I know yo..you arent a monster...you ca..care about people. Like Max... that night... at the Byers, you were try...trying to protect her, do what your da...dad asked. I kno..w you did...didnt mean it, an...d I kn...ow somewhere, I know you're some...somewhere in there... you just have to... to fight thi...s. Don't be the monster, he's making you to be." It was a struggle to say but I could hear the hitch in his breath as my words processed in his head, I could feel the grip loosening on my neck and felt him look away and shake his head.
"Seven..." El said from the ground at our feet. With Billy's arm still around my neck I could barely look down at her, but I could still make out her figure sitting up her hand reaching for Billy's arm, fingers barely touching it. "Seven... feet. You told her the wave was seven feet... you ran to her, on the beach, there were seagulls. She wore a hat… with a blue ribbon, a long dress… with a blue and red flower. Yell…yellow sandals, covered in sand. She was pretty… She was really pretty. And you… you were happy." El's voice broke and Billy slowly released my neck only to wrap his arm around my shoulders turning me to him. There were tears in his eyes and his lips trembled.
"I'm sorry." he whispered, and I could feel my own eyes burn with unshed tears as he looked from me to El, before releasing me, my legs buckling under me causing me to collapse beside her. Looking up Billy's eyes met mine and he gave me a small, sad smile before he turned around. The monster's tentacle arm shot from its mouth at El and I, and I put myself in front of her just as Billy stood in front of us and raised his arm out yelling as he stopped the monster's attack. I watched in shock as he continued to yell using both hands to push the tentacle back. Before I could warn him two additional tentacles shot from the side of the monster and penetrated his abdomen on either side and I heard him grunt in pain, his eyes wide with pain and fear.
"Billy!" I yelled but it could hardly be heard with the continued barrage of fireworks and the screeching from the monster. I could vaguely hear yelling on the balcony as the fireworks slowed down and the gate had yet to be closed. Billy stood firm still fighting against the arms attacking him until more started attacking him and as I struggled to stand a final tentacle went directly into his chest. It felt like everything was moving in slow motion as I watched Billy slump forward.
There was yelling from somewhere behind me, but I was focused on the man in front of me, covered in blood, fighting to protect me in El. With tears falling down my cheeks I pulled the tentacles from Billy and with my ability I ripped them from the monster. Its pained cry screeched loudly through the open area rearing back as I stepped in front of the collapsed man and screamed... Screamed in anger, in pain, in fear, in frustration. I pulled on everything I could as I wrapped the monster in an invisible bubble, a shield of sorts, keeping it in place as it fought to move forward. I could taste the copper tang in my mouth as blood from my nose dripped over my lips as I grit my teeth together and made a step forward, the monster almost withering under the force I pushed on it.
My hands were shaking, and although my hold over the monster was strong, my vision blurred, and the black spots grew bigger the longer I pushed myself. If I let go, the monster would attack and kill everyone around me, El, Max, Mike... Steve, everyone on the balcony. As the monster continued to fight and thrash against me suddenly it stopped and fell limp against the force I had against it. Lowering my arms, breathing heavily, the monster collapsed into one of the balcony railings before crashing to the ground with a thud.
Every blink I made as I watched the creature fall grew longer, the need to close my eyes becoming too much before I could feel myself falling, and the darkness consumed me as my body made contact with the ground, a muffled yell of my name was the last thing I heard until there was nothing else.
STEVE POV
We knew our time was limited from the moment we got to the mall and had only a few boxes of fireworks. They worked distracting the monster enough but after the last one left my hands, I looked at Robin with wide eyes. There was nothing else we could do, and as Dustin yelled into the Walkie-Talkie to close the gate, Robin and I were forced to watch as Billy sacrificed himself for Roni and El. And as he fell, I watched as Roni faced the monster, determination and anger written all over her face. The monster withered under her mental hold and fought against her and regardless of her current state she held it in place until it stopped moving all together. Its body fell towards Robin and I and I grabbed her, pulling her down with me to avoid being crushed.
We both looked at each other before crawling to the edge. The fleshy being lay in a heap on the ground looking up I saw Nancy and Jonathan across the open space looking just as surprised.
"Shit," Robin cursed standing up. "Does that mean it worked?"
"I..." I was about to answer but my attention was drawn back towards the monster and then to the person how had been standing in front of it only moments before. Roni was lying on the ground, her head in El's lap and before I could say anything else I was running towards the closest escalator or stairs. Taking the steps, two at a time, I raced around the corner and froze. El was crying, begging for Roni to wake up, and Max was leaning over Billy.
"El..." I whispered dropping to my knees. The young girl looked up at me, tears in her eyes.
"She won't wake up." she cried and with shaky hands I reached towards the unconscious girl's neck, bowing my head and closing my eyes praying that I could feel her pulse. It wasn't much but it was there, slow and uneven, but I didn't care, it was there.
"She's alive." I breathed out and looked up smiling at El. "We'll make sure she's okay." Over my shoulder I heard Max crying out to Billy, her cries becoming louder, and I felt a pang of guilt as I thought about the resentment I had held for the man. El's eyes followed mine and I could see her struggle with loyalty. "Go." I whispered to her, and she scowled at me as I scooted to take her place. "I got her, go." The girl hesitated but eventually allowed me to take Roni's head in my lap while she crawled to Max, wrapping her arms around the distressed red head. Scowling I looked back down at Roni. Blood covered most of her face, her hair matted and stuck to her forehead.
"Steve, Dustin just said there are like a ton of helicopters heading this..." Robin ran around the corner but stopped at the sight. "Oh God." She fell to her knees beside me, one hand on my back the other lying on Roni's shoulder. The sound of thunder rumbled overhead and continued to get louder until it was accompanied by armed men bursting into the mall from all entry points. Instinctively I placed myself over Roni, Robin doing the same as the men charged in guns pointed at the monster regarding us cautiously before radioing to the outside. I wasn't sure how long we waited but someone tried to pull me off her and I told them to fuck off. It all seemed surreal.
"Son..." a voice came from above me and I glared up at the owner of it. The man didn't look like a soldier, instead he had a kind, sad smile on his face as he bent down, so he was on the balls of his feet staring at me. "Son, my name is Sam Owens, I need you to let me look at Veronica." The name rang a bell, I remembered Roni telling me about him. He had been the one that had saved her in the labs when she was younger, and the one that had essentially given her, her freedom. "I promise, no one will hurt her." I wasn't sure if what he said reassured me, but I glanced over his shoulder at two people anxiously waiting, one holding a medical bag, while the other stood by a gurney, and I quickly realized the person I had yelled at earlier was one of the paramedics.
"Steve, let them help." Robin said pulling my shoulder back and reluctantly I nodded to the older man, who waved the paramedics over. They worked quicky gently pulling her head from my lap, checking vitals, placing her on a backboard and wheeling her out of the mall. I followed, my body moving on autopilot. As I walked through the doors, the parking lot, once empty, was filled with military vehicles.
"Are you coming?" a man pulled me from my thoughts as we approached an awaiting ambulance. I scowled and looked at him as his partner went around to the driver's side of the vehicle.
"What?" My brain felt sluggish and wasn't processing what he said.
"Are you getting in or not?" the paramedic asked with a hint of frustration and urgency in his voice. Looking into the truck at the girl laying on the gurney and quickly looked back over my shoulders. Nancy and Jonathan were standing beside El and Max while Will and Lucas stood a few steps away. My eyes met with Nancy's, and she gave me a small nod.
I didn't hesitate, I quickly jumped into the back of the rig and took a seat across from the paramedic as he slammed the door shut and yelled for his partner to go. I watched as the mall slowly started to fade away, flames erupting from inside burning all evidence of the interdimensional fight we had just had.
All errors in this were mine, i wrote this and re-read it and then re-read it again changing things so hope it wasnt too bad.
Anyway hope you all enjoyed and any comments/suggestion are always welcome.
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