slay 'em dead//Steve Harrington

27

We make a run for it out of the mall. As we make it outside, I see Billy crawling out of his car that's on fire.

"Shit," Max says.

We rush through the side door into the hallways.

"Go, go, go, go, go, go, go!" I shout.

We run down the hallway as fast as we can with El.

"In here. In here," Mike says.

I push the button for the elevator. I hear a door open and go to look. It's Billy.

"Billy," I say.

Max comes out into the hallway next to me.

"Billy, you don't have to do this," I tell him.

"Billy. Your name's Billy, Billy Hargrove," Max says. Billy keeps walking towards us. "You live on 4819 Cherry Lane. Billy, please, I'm Max, I'm your..."

Billy hits Max in the face, sending her to the floor. I try to step in front of him.

"Billy. Billy please," I plead.

Then everything goes black.

When I wake up Eleven is gone Max is starting to come around as Mike is unconscious on the floor.

"Mike. Mike." I lean over and shake him. "Mike. Mike. Mike, get up. Mike, can you hear me? Mike! Mike!"

Mike finally opens his eyes.

Max grabs his arm. "Hey, come on."

"You okay?" I ask.

"Where's El?" Mike asks.

We rush back into the mall. The Mind Flayer is back. Billy is bent over El. Somebody throws a firework confusing the Mind Flayer but not hurting it.

Billy stands up. El tries to drag herself away from the monster. An arm comes out and Billy grabs it with his hands. He yells out. I want to run to him to try and help but my feet don't move. Billy screams as the Mind Flayer's arms latch onto his stomach. He screams again before the Mind Flayer shoves an arm into this chest.

"Billy!" I shout.

The Mind Flayer rips its arm out of Billy before dropping him to the floor. Suddenly the monster screeches and starts to stumble around. It groans as it falls to the floor.

I rush towards Billy. I fall to the floor beside him as Max does the same. Billy is breathing hard. Covered in blood.

"Billy?" I say. "Billy."

"Billy, Billy, get up, please. Billy, get up, please, please," Max pleads.

"I'm sorry," Billy whispers.

"Billy..." I say.

Then he stops breathing. He's gone. I let out a sob.

"Billy. Billy. Billy, wake up. Billy, get up. Please, Billy... Billy!" Max pleads. "Billy... Billy..."

I sob as I pull a crying Max into me. I feel her whole body shake as she sobs. I feel someone's arms wrap around me and I know it's Steve.

Steve makes sure I get home alright. After a long shower full of sobbing, I walk into my room with my pajamas on. Steve is sitting on my bed waiting.

"I thought you'd want me to stay," Steve says.

I nod my head. I turn the light off before I crawl into bed.

"Can I..." Steve starts.

"Yeah," I tell him.

I feel the bed shift as Steve stands up. I hear him kick his shoes off before getting under the covers with me. I turn to face him and wrap my arms around his waist.