𝑩𝑳𝑼𝑬 - Billy Hargrove [1]

THIRTY

THIRTY|FINDING THE SOURCE

The group sat around Eleven, watching her closely as she tried to find Billy's exact location. Television static filled the room, the harsh smells of nicotine filling everyone's senses as Bernadette lit her second cigarette. Eleven gasped for air, ripping her blindfold off as she tried to calm her heart and focus on her surroundings.

"What's he doing now?" Max broke the tense silence, concerned if her step brother was causing more damage.

Eleven muttered a small answer before heading to the sink, grabbing a glass of water as the others discussed her answer.

"And that's not normal, right?" Nancy questioned, not understanding the significance of Elevens answer.

"Billy staying in his room on the Fourth of July?" Max almost chuckled at the statement. "No, that's not normal."

"It's true." Bernadette added, agreeing with Max. "Me and Billy were supposed to do so much. He had planned everything from the fair to a party to what he wanted me to wear."

"He wants us to find him." Will pieced together, understanding what Billy was doing.

"Yeah, that's what I'm afraid of." Nancy sighed, glancing at Bernadette, knowing the girl would go after him. "If we go to Billy, then the rest of the flayed know where we are."

"It's a trap, I agree. We'll be ambushed." Mike agreed with his sister, trying to figure out a plan.

"We won't be surprised." Lucas reminded them. "We'll know that they are coming, and we will kick their flayed butts."

"You mean El will kick their butts." Max corrected him.

"It's too risky."

"Yeah, and unnecessary." Nancy shot down the idea. "Killing the flayed won't stop the Mind Flayer. We have to find out where it's spreading from. We have to find the source."

"Billy knows it." Eleven walked back over to the group. "Billy's been there. To the source." She quickly cut Mike off as he tried to remind her of the dangers." It's a trap, I know. We can't go to Billy, but I think there's another way. A way for me to see where he's been."

Eleven turned the television to static, sitting down in front of it as the entire group went silent, all watching her with hope. Mike tried to stop her but she quickly reminded him to trust her.

"Something's wrong!" Mike announced as Eleven started whimpering with pain. Birdie jumped out her chair and crouched beside the girl, a careful hand on her back.

"You are stronger than him, El." She whispered, eyes drowning with determination to end the Mind Flayer. "Don't let him win."

Eleven stopped squirming in pain, her body going still as she seemed to have fought away the evil.

"El, are you okay?" Mike questioned her, glancing at Birdie, curious as to what she said.

"I'm okay."

"What's going on?"

"I'm on a beach." Eleven replied softly, the blood dripping from her nose.

"Okay, I may be dense, but the last time I checked, there weren't any beaches in Hawkins." Lucas said slowly, glancing around to see if he was correct.

"What else do you see?" Max asked gently, wondering if there were any other indicators of where she was.

"A woman." Eleven answered, confused by where she was. "She's pretty. I think she's looking at me. There's a boy. It's Billy."

"It's California." Birdie sat down beside Eleven, leaning her back on the coffee table. "It's a memory. Billy told me once how he used to go to the beach with his mother a lot."

"I think I see it." The girl stated causing everyone to lean closer. "The source. I think I found it."

"Where El? Where are you?"

"Brimborn Steelworks."

Bernadette froze, her words getting lost in her throat as she slowly raised a hand to her mouth to muffle any noise. The tears slipped down her cheeks, eyes wide with shock.

"That's on the way to my house." She informed them, hearing Jonathan flick through a Yellow Pages. "It's close."

"Found it. 6522 Cheery Oak Drive."

"El, we found it." Mike spoke to the girl, trying to get through to her. "Get out of there."

Eleven ripped off her blindfold, screaming with fear as she tried to get away from whatever evil had found her. Mike jumped down from his seat, holding the scared girl close as he tried to comfort her.

"I'm going to get some fresh air." Birdie excused herself, wiping away the tears, stumbling out the cabin as the ache in her thigh travelled down her leg.

The distant sound of fireworks echoed around the forest, indicating the fourth of July celebrations were commencing. Bernadette sat down on the porch steps, her eyes wandering out through the dark forest, a cloud of smoke leaving her lips. Her breath was shaky, hands clenching on her lap.

She made a wish under the colourfully lit sky, begging the universe to let her have her Billy back. She wished that she would wake up, the current events all being a bad nightmare.