Lucas knocked on Eleven's door. Will was standing right behind him, breathing heavily. Eleven opened the door, Max near her. "We need to come in," Lucas said. "We think there's something wrong with Mike."

"We think so too," Max said. She allowed the two boys to come into the house. Max locked the door back.

"We saw him in the Upside-Down," Eleven said. "He was with a girl. The girl was scared of him, but I couldn't figure out why. She saw something that made her scream."

"When I entered his house, my senses were screaming," Will explained. "When I touched him, his skin was ice cold. There was nothing behind his eyes. It reminded me of the Mind Flayer."

"It can't be that," Eleven denied. "I closed the gate."

"Someone could've reopened it," Max explained. She leaned against one of the chairs in the kitchen.

"There's only one way to know for sure," Will said. "We need to get him somewhere hot."

"Do we overpower him and throw him into a hot tub?" Lucas asked.

"That's too risky," Max said. She thought for a moment. "I know! There's a sauna at the pool. It closed early tonight due to the storm. I can steal Billy's keys."

"You're going to need backup," Eleven said. "I'll come with you."

"He's never home at night," Max argued. "He's probably out with a lady friend."

"We should still go together," Eleven responded.

"Me and Will will worry about getting Mike to the pool," Lucas said.

"I think it will be easier if I went alone," Will said. "He might get suspicious if it's both of us."

"You sure?" Lucas asked.

"Yes," Will responded.

"Everyone, meet at the pool," Max explained. "Lucas, you should come with us to be the lookout."

The group went their separate ways. "Please, be wrong," Will muttered to himself, "Please, be wrong."

Will rode his bicycle over to Mike's house. In Will's mind, he kept thinking and pleading for his hunch to be wrong. Will wasn't ready to face the Upside-Down again. He didn't want to face it through his boyfriend.

Will parked his car in front of the Wheeler's home. He knocked on the door. After a few moments, Mrs. Wheeler opened the door. "Hello, Mrs. Wheeler," Will greeted. "Is Mike home?"

"Yes," Karen answered. "I'll get him for you."

Karen turned around. "Mike," she yelled. Mike rushed down the stairs. He was wearing the same grin he wore earlier that day. The grin he wore when Will and Lucas arrived. "Will is here."

"Hey, Will," Mike said. He walked to stand beside his Mom. "Do you want to come in?"

"I was wondering if you wanted to come out," Will said. "Dustin is going to try and contact Suzie again. He thinks he'll get a good signal at the pool. He needs our help setting up."

"I thought the pool closed early tonight," Karen said.

"I meant the area around the pool," Will responded.

"How about we stay in tonight?" Mike asked. "We can watch a movie. Just the two of us as–"

"Friends," Will interrupted. Karen had a confused look on her face. "Speaking of friends, let's not keep them waiting."

"Can I go?" Mike asked.

"Yeah," Karen said. She still had a look on her face like she was suspicious. "Just be home by ten."

"I will," Mike promised. The two boys walked outside as they heard Karen close the door.

"Go grab your bike," Will said.

"Can we walk?" Mike asked. "It's beautiful out today."

There was no blue to see in the sky. The sky was covered in dark grey storm clouds. "Dustin wants us to get there quickly," Will said. "It's better if we take our bicycles."

"Okay," Mike groaned. He walked off to get his bike from the garage. Please, let me be wrong.

The two arrived at the pool about twenty minutes later. Will noticed Mike was having trouble riding the bike. Mike, who could easily ride with someone on his back, was now struggling. It wasn't like he had taken a break from riding.

The two parked their bicycles at the pool. "Where is everyone?" Mike asked as they climbed off their bikes.

"They're waiting inside," Will responded. "Max stole Billy's keys. We're getting snacks."

Will wiggled the handle of the pool door. It opened with ease. The others were already inside. The two boys entered the room. "Where is everyone?" Mike asked.

Mike was lifted off the ground. Eleven, Max, and Lucas emerged from the shadows. Eleven was holding her hand out, throwing him into the sauna. Mike fell onto the floor. Eleven slammed the door shut and locked it.

Mike ran to the door. Max used a metal pipe to barricade the door. "I'll give up D&D forever just to be wrong," Will muttered under his voice. Lucas turned on the sauna and started to crank it up.

"Is this some kind of joke?" Mike asked. Lucas kept cranking it up.

"Make it as hot as possible," Will reluctantly ordered. It was the only way to make sure he wasn't possessed by the Mind Flayer.

Eleven stood in front of her friends, just in case. Mike slowly stood up. The lights began to flicker. Will grabbed the back of his neck. Mike rushed into the door, starting to crack the pipe. Eleven got ready for the inevitable fight.

The door swung open. Mike glared at the group. "Mike, I know you're in there," Eleven said. "I don't want to hurt you."

Mike rushed to attack Eleven. He grabbed her by the neck. Eleven clawed at his hand. In the back of her mind, Eleven knew she needed to use her powers against him. However, she didn't want to use her powers against her friends. The goal was to get the real Mike out.

Max grabbed a piece of the broken pipe. She swung it at Mike, the metal breaking against his skin. It didn't hurt him that badly, but it was an annoyance. Mike dropped Eleven, turning his attention to Max. Mike started to lung at Max.

Eleven, with tears welling up in her eyes, picked Mike up with her mind. She slammed him into the wall. "Get him back into the sauna," Lucas shrieked.

Mike stood up. He made direct eye contact with Eleven. "I'll be the end of you," Mike said in a dark voice, "and everything you love."

Mike disappeared into the night.

Breaking news!

Richmond Hayes (43) was found dead in his hospital room. This is nearly twenty-four hours after he was attacked. His wife, Lillian Hayes (44,) was announced dead at the scene. Their daughter, Jennifer Hayes (14), is still missing. If you know anything, please go to the Hawkins Police.