Joey Hopper//Will Byers -Book two-

The Mind Flayer: Part two

As I walk down the hallways, I can tell that something is horribly wrong. It's not just the fact that I'm completely in the dark. It's that there's no people here, no noise, just silence. Well, except for the sound of my shoes tapping against the tile floor.

I know that the monsters are in here. I know what I heard. Still, I can't help but think, if they are here then where could they possibly be hiding?

Out of the blue, shuffling fills my ears. It can't be too far away. You'd think it'd be easier to find what I'm looking for when it's completely quiet but somehow it seems to be the opposite. After all, when there's nothing everything seems like it's something.

Nonetheless, I keep moving forward and the sound keeps getting louder. The volume does not fail to increase until I'm standing right outside of a tall door. Inside is either my friends or my nightmares. In the end it doesn't really matter which, I still have to look.

With a heavy breath I don't waste any time, slamming the door wide open.

"Joe?"

That voice is definitely not who I was expecting.

"Dad?"

He takes a step towards me and places his hand on my shoulder. "I've been worried sick about you, kid."

I shrug off his hand. "Yeah, I could tell."

"You know, I've never been so happy to hear you sass me."

With that his arms wrap around my waste.

I don't want to hug him back, I really don't. I should be mad at him. He was a major jerk to me. I can't help myself though. I've missed him more than I'd like to admit, and anyways I'm not feeling all too well right now. Not like I'm sick or anything, I just feel...worse than usual.

"Dad, I'm not sorry about running away." I quickly say, releasing him from my grip.

"Yeah well I am." He says, slightly confusing me. "I was overwhelmed Joe and I took it out on you. I'm sorry."

I stare at him, stunned. He apologized...to me? The planets must not be aligned. I mean, they're never actually completely aligned. Even if they were, that would just be worse for earth. Still, they must be utterly out of whack today.

After a few moments I look back up to him. "I forgive you, Dad. Can I ask you something though?"

"What?"

I shrug, "why are you here?"

"Hold on," he stops. "Why are you here? How did you even get in?"

Puzzled, I say, "I used the door?"

"Yeah, no kidding." He says. "The whole building on lockdown though."

"Is that why all of the lights turned off?"

He nods.

I reach over and tap my backpack. "I walkied Mike and he said he was in trouble. I must have gotten in right before everything closed up."

He shakes his head. "You shouldn't have come, Joey."

"Well I'm here now. Where are the others?"

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.

.

.

We walk into the room and Mike's face instantly falls. "Joe? What are you doing here? I told you-"

"Mike you've known me since we were five," I say. "Did you really think I would just sit around while you guys got mauled to death?"

"At least you wouldn't have ended up dead too!" He responds.