𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬 - Billy Hargrove [1]

TWENTY FIVE

TWENTY FIVE|CODE RED PT.3

Bernadette held a hand over her mouth as she watched Billy enthusiastically walk straight into their trap, her booming voice echoing through the male changing room.

"Hey." Mike spoke smugly through the walkie talking. "Behind you."

Eleven stepped in front of the open door of the sauna, smiling at the older boy before using her powers to throw him back against the tile wall.

The others used this to run into the room, Birdie slamming the sauna door closed as Mike locked it shut with a bar. Lucas wrapped the chain around the handle and a pipe, ensuring it was filling clamped shut. The others ran back, hiding behind Eleven and Bernadette who faced the aggressive boy face on.

"Max." Billy calmed down, staring directly at his step-sister. His voice seemed to echo around the room, commanding her to open the door for him.

"Do it." Max ordered. Will ran forwards and turned the heat all the way to high before hiding behind everyone again. They watched as the steam filled the room, heating it above normal.

"Max! Let me out of here!" He screamed, banging against the door as his breath fogged the small glass window. "Let me out. You kids. You think this is funny? You kids think this is some kind of sick prank, huh? And Birdie. I expected better from you." He banged against the door, repeatedly screaming at them. "Open the door!"

"He isn't the host." Birdie cracked, turning around to stare at Mike with scared eyes, knowing he could stop this at any moment. "It's 220°F!"

"It's not my fault." Billy sobbed, collapsing to the floor in the sauna, his voice breaking Birdie as she turned to Mike, pleading with him to stop this. "It's not my fault. I promise you."

"What's not your fault, Billy?" Max asked, approaching the window and looking at him through the steam.

"I've done things, Max. Really bad things. I didn't mean to. He made me do it." He broke, his hands shaking as he hugged his knees to his chest.

"Who made you do it?" Birdie stood beside Max, chewing her lip as she tried to stop herself from crying with him.

"I don't know, it's like a shadow." He answered, his voice breaking as he revealed the truth to them. "Like a giant shadow. Please."

"What did he make you do?"

"It's not my fault, okay?" He begged them, collapsing further on the floor. Birdie slipped her hand into Max's, noticing the tears fall down her cheeks. "Please, believe me. It's not my fault. I tried to stop him, okay? I did. Please believe me."

"It's going to be okay, Billy." Bernadette placed her hand on the glass, smiling through her tears. "We're going to help you. I will protect you from this. I don't blame you for anything. You aren't the bad guy."

"You just have to talk to us, okay?" Max added, squeezing Birdies hand. "I believe you, Billy. I need you to trust me."

Bernadette froze in her spot, feeling a shiver run over her body as she turned back to look at Will, noticing him holding the back of his neck.

"Get away from the door." Mike warned the girls, watching Will closely before turning to the pair. "Get away from the door!" He yelled in fear.

"Let me out, you bitch! Let me out!" Billy smashed his fist through the glass, Birdie pushing Max aside as the shards caught her arm. "I'll fucking gut you!"

Lucas lifted his sling shot, hitting Billy straight in the forehead before pulling Max and Birdie back behind Eleven. The lights flickered around them, indicating the Mind Flayer was present. Billy pounded on the door, ripping it off its hinges.

Him and Eleven faced each other one on one, Bernadette forcing the others out the room and behind her as they watched the pair fight. Billy lifted Eleven by the throat, cutting off her airways.

Mike pounced forwards, hitting Billy over the head causing him to drop the gasping girl. Birdie ran over to her, helping her open her airways before turning to look at Mike. Eleven noticed Billy gaining on the boy and lifted him off his feet, stopping him from attacking Mike. She threw Billy away from Mike, his body smashing through the brick wall as they all stumbled to their feet, watching Billy run away.

"Are you okay?" Birdie grabbed the tissue from her pocket and cleaned the blood away from Eleven's nose, checking her breathing and throat. "I think now is the time we get some more help."