The Next-Door Down

Body

Your tyres skidded to a halt as you stopped outside what must've been Will's house.

El and Mike were ahead having a muffled conversation whilst you and the others wheeled your bikes along the path.

"What are we doing here?" Lucas began, sassily.

"She said he's hiding here." Mike sighed, glancing at Eleven hopelessly.

"Um.. no." Lucas points out the obvious.

"I swear if we've just walked all this way out here for nothing.." Dustin complained.

"That's exactly what we did!" Lucas spat, clearly irritated, "I told you she didn't know what the hell she was talking about!"

Eleven looked hurt and glanced between Mike and Lucas with a look of betrayal on her face. You couldn't help but feel bad for the girl, even though she did hate you.

"Why did you bring us here?" Mike glares at El.

"I-" Eleven began to speak but Lucas cut him off.

"I still think we should call the cops like we should've yesterday, stop wasting your time with her!" He practically yells.

"We are not calling the cops!" Mike shouts back.

The two of them started a heated argument but you zoned out, noticing something in the distance.

"Oi Dustin," You nudge his shoulder, "Can you see that?"

"Oh shit." He replies, speaking in his usual lisp.

Sirens filled the stillness of the night air and you knew that it wasn't just you who could see them.

"Guys." You say as everyone follows the police cars with their eyes. Mike and Lucas had suddenly forgotten their argument.

The whole squad of cars rocketed past as you grabbed your bikes, only saying one thing as you did so.

"Will."

You quickly followed the cops until you approached the abandoned quarry. It was now filled with water and surrounded by ambulances and police cars.

You and the others parked your bikes behind the fire truck and peered out from the back of it, watching the officials pull something out of the water.

Your gut churned when you realised that it wasn't something.. it was someone.

Your eyes widen, "Is that Will?"

"It's not Will." Mike denies it, "It can't be."

But you knew he was having doubts. You could tell by his voice. He was clearly trying his best to reassure himself.

But Lucas knew better. "It's Will." He sighed, "It's really Will."

Mike and Dustin turned away, not wanting to look.

"Mike..." Eleven began but instead of speaking calmly in return, Mike thrashed out.

"Mike what? You were supposed to help us find him alive! You said he was alive! Why did you lie to us! What's wrong with you?"

"Mike..." Eleven repeated his name, sobbing. But he just turned away.

"Mike come on, don't do this man." Lucas tries to get him to come back.

But he was biking off already.

"Mike, where are you going?" Dustin continues.

But he had disappeared.