Seemed simple enough. Although at this point in their lives it was anything but. If the Mind Flayer had taught them anything it was that there would be a lot of mess and destruction.
And someone close to them would die.
Steve stood off to the side, leaning against the wall trying to catch his breath. So far, it seemed like they had won. And no one had died. Just a lot of pain. And suffering.
Then came the screams through the walkman.
At least they were alive... “Something happened to Max...” Or maybe not. Erica’s words sent shivers down his spine. Hefting his bat over his shoulder, he ignored the pain that sliced through his side as he began to race down the street. They had run into it when they house had started to catch fire. Probably because the owner was dead.
Hearing the girls footfalls behind him, reassured him that they were all following. Good. Reports trickled in from the others. Okay. They were okay. All they needed was to hear from Dustin and Eddie. Any minute now. He waited.
And then he couldn’t wait anymore.
He veered off the path towards the nearest entrance to the Upside Down.
“Steve...” Robin called out to him.
“Just go,” he cried back over his shoulder. He couldn’t stop. Something was wrong. Very wrong. They should have been the first ones back through. Without hesitation, he swung himself back through the portal, landing in crouch. Pain shot through his side almost knocking him out. But he forced through it.
Racing through the Upside Down. He had no idea where Dustin or Eddie ended up. He didn’t want to call out in case the demo-bats managed to lock in on him. He slid to a stop when he saw the demo-bats flying his way, barely ducking out of the way before they were on top of him. Waiting until they were gone, he peered around the corner. There they were.
Waiting to make sure it was clear, he raced over there. Only needing to stop once to beat the shit out of the something before sliding to his knees beside them.
