One and Only (Byler)

Hawkins will Fall

The group stared blankly at Dustin, not fully taking in what he had just said. Mike looked out onto the desecrated road, his dark eyes taking in the desolation, and wreckage of what was once a quiet suburban street. There were no houses though, no signs of life. It was of the world had been switched off. Max struggled to her feet, dropping a part of her Halloween costume, and stamping on it agonising force. She looked like she was on the verge of tears.

"I'm going home," she whispered, all traces of anger gone from her voice. The group stared at her, and Dustin looked up. "What?" Max straightened her posture, looking defiant. She winced as a cut on her face reopened, and bled. "I said I'm going home, Dustin. I've had enough of this, and we're all tired. It's over, I'm done." No one replied. Lucas stood up too, joining her. "I'm going home too. What you're saying...it just isn't true." Dustin scoffed, looking forward at him.

"You can't just leave. We have to-"
"We're not heroes, Dustin. We're just kids."
The sun had begun to rise. How long had it been since the group had been safe in the comfort of Eddie's trailer? Steve hesitated, glancing over at his boyfriend. It all seemed like some overzealous TV series - fake and melodramatic, sure, but never real. There was no pause button to block out disaster, or a way to shut out the inevitable. Nothing. It seemed as
though they had started it all, and something was telling them to finish it.

But what could they do? Mike sighed, and as the sun rose from over the horizon, bathing the deserted street with a golden light, he realised something. Lucas was right. They were just kids. Not superheroes, just kids. But he knew someone who was as good as a superhero. And she just so happened to be stuck at home, bored and reserved. "El." The group stopped bickering and turned to him. Eddie tilted his head to the side, a sign of his shared confusion. "Who?"

Mike glanced at Will, who was giving him a look of encouragement, and continued. "Eleven. Jane, does that ring a bell?" He turned to Lucas, sure as ever. "If anyone can save Hawkins, save the world, it's her. But she can't do it on her own." Max seemed to be in deep thought, her hair flying over her face. Her eyebrows furrowed. "Look, we can't turn to her whenever it looks like the world might end. She's a person too, with limits, and feelings, and weaknesses."

Will gave a derisive snort, and heads turned to him, surprised. "So what now? We sit around and watch Hawkins fall, and the world end? That's it? That's your plan? It must be, you seem so sure." Max's face reddened. "I— I'm not sure." She looked around, her expression dulling. "I don't know." A bird had come to settle above their heads, opening up its pointed beak, and spilling out a bittersweet song. Birdsong. It was strange - haunting, but consoling at the same time.

Like a moment before death.

Perhaps. Mike wouldn't know, he had never been dead before. He hoped he wouldn't ever be.

Something stirred in the far distance. Eddie got to his feet, placing his hands on his hips. "Ok then it's decided - we're heroes from now on." A small smile played on his lips, and he crossed his arms. "You know, we're kinda like the Ghostbusters now." Steve rolled his eyes, giving Eddie a fond smile. Dustin's face lit up. "Yeah, you're kind of right! Except we're busting man eating monsters, not comical ghosts." Lucas nodded eagerly. "If we're the ghostbusters, then I'm totally Venkman."

Mike pulled a face at him, clearly annoyed. "No, I'm Venkman. We've had this conversation before, Lucas, there can only be one Venkman." Lucas shot him a glare. They continued to bicker for a while, and Will sat back, smiling. It was almost as if nothing had changed. But then Eddie and Steve exchanged anxious looks, and turned back to the group. "Guys, I think it would be better if we all just went home. You've all spent a whole night away from your parents, I think that they'd be getting worried."