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Chapter 33, Holding Out For A Hero (Ep. 8: The Battle of Starcourt)
Following the others to the second level of the mall, Gwen carried boxes of fireworks to use against the Mind Flayer. The kids wanted to attack from the first floor since they thought it seemed better to attack from a closer distance, and even though their intentions were good, they weren't ideal.
It took lots of convincing and arguing, but eventually, the older teens were able to reassure them the second level was the better option. Now, hauling up the stairs appeared to be the only solution.
As she stared at the boxes, Gwen was reminded that this wasn't how their Fourth of July should be going. She should be at the county fair with Steve and the kids, getting on the craziest rides, consuming tons of junk food, and then heading up to the Ferris Wheel for the fireworks show. It seemed that now, the only show they'd be getting was lighting up the monster.
They should be having fun, not doing this, and certainly not endangering their lives again.
Gwen was nearly halfway up, but out of nowhere, she felt something pull her down too harshly. The jarring collision of the mall floor took her breath away and left her stuck in a startled haze. She blinked sharply to adjust her blurry sight and reached for her head.
It was then when she felt warm liquid on her fingertips.
She tensed, but forced herself to look down.
Sure enough, there was blood coating her fingers.
Before she could regain her senses, a sudden kick against her ribs sent her a few feet from the spot she fell in. The boxes were sprawled far from her, but it didn't stop her from attempting to acquire them.
"Miss me?"
Gwen halted, the familiar voice igniting shivers down her spine. She turned around and was stunned to recognize the person was Natalia. The once popular cheerleader that was getting ready to leave for college had fallen victim to the Mind Flayer. Nancy told her that she believed Natalia had probably melted with the rest of the Flayed, but it was a theory having been proved incorrect.
"Oh, great. It's you," Gwen took careful steps back, attempting to get her far from the escalators. "I have to say, you've looked better."
Natalia tilted her head, "I could say the same thing."
She took notice of the black veins running through her body, the dried blood on her lifeguard uniform, and the emptiness in her darkened eyes.
Like Billy, Natalia was being controlled by the Mind Flayer.
There was no conceivable way to stand a chance against her. With the strength of the supernatural inside her, it was a fight bound to be lost. Gwen hated accepting defeat, but this was a case that she had to abstain from indulging in. She could only try to distract her and hope she wouldn't go after the others... and that they wouldn't notice her absence.
