Eddie the Banished & Steve the Babysitter

The Vanishing of Mike Wheeler

Nancy's POV

"Mom it's fine, he's probably at Will's." I said, rubbing my mothers back trying to comfort her.

She spoke in between sobs, "This isn't like him, Nancy, he calls or leaves a note on the island."

I stammered, trying to think of where he could be, "I think we should go to the Byers. He might be there with El and Will." She took a tissue from the table and blew her nose, nodding. "Alright."

*knock knock*

To my surprise, Murray opened the door, red kiss apron on, a towel over his shoulder. "Joyce!" He screamed back into the house after making eye contact with me and my mother. I winced at his voice raising.

He walked away from the door and back to the kitchen as Joyce was shuffling toward the door from the hallway. "Hi. Karen. What do I- uh, why are you here?"

My mom tried to hold back tears, "Mike hasnt come home in a couple days. We were wondering if- if-" She gave in and started to lightly cry. I put my hand on her back, trying to give her support. "Mrs. Byers we wanted to know if Will maybe came here to see Mike or El."

I saw a man with brown shaggy hair perk up from his spot on the couch, looking over at us. Will peaked his head around from the kitchen. He wiped his hands on his pajama pants and came to the door. "What do you mean Mike's gone?"

"So you haven't seen him?"

He shook his head, "Not since our fight."

Joyce looked back at him, "Fight? What fight?"

Will took a minute, as if he was trying to figure out what to say. "We uh- we had a fight about our friendship and how things have gone downhill."

Joyce looked back at us and helped Mom in the house. "Do you want me to ask Hopper to see what he can do?"

Mom nodded, "Please, I want to find my baby."

I looked at Will and how he was looking at Mom, like he was guilty. I grabbed his wrist and pulled him outside. I shut the door behind him and dragged him to my car, far enough from the door. "Tell me the truth."

Will rubbed his shoulder, "I uh- He tried to apologize for how he treated me the last couple years and I blew up on him by accident."

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "Do you know where he might've gone? Where he might have felt safe?" Will started counting things on his fingers and shaking his head and putting his fingers back on his palm, as if deciding where Mike would be. "I don't know. I would say here with El, but they fell out too. And if he's not at your house, then..I don't know."

We heard the front door open and El stood in the doorway, a blue hoodie and pajama pants on. "He's angry about Dungeons and Dragons as well as Will also."

I stood there for a moment, trying to think. "D&D. Who um-Eddie plays with you guys doesn't he?"

Will shifted his weight onto his right leg, "I mean, he used to. He's done now. Do you think Mike went there?"

I shook my head. "I don't think he would, his relationship with him wasn't that close."

El spoke up, "Cliff."

We both turned toward her. She was closer now and the front door was closed. Will turned to me, "The-the cliff above the lake. Where they found my 'body'"

I ran around to the other side of the car and opened the driver door. "Come on." I got in the car and Will opened the back right door. "Shouldn't we tell your Mom?" I shook my head and turned the key, "It'll create a whole thing. Let's test the theory first."