ZERO

CHAPTER 13 - GATE

From the front of the porch, Iris watched Mike and Eleven. She was out of earshot, but from his tearful expression, she could fairly assume the conversation they were having. Iris couldn't imagine going through all of this at the age that they did.

Her eyes fell to her father behind the two, a cigarette at his lips. His eyes held a sorrowful expression she'd never seen before. Suddenly, all the stupid small grudges she held against him for late nights at the office washed away.

Walking out of the Byer's home was like a cold slap in the face, telling her that now, she needed to grow up.

John fiddled with his lighter, wondering if he was leading his daughter to her death before she had even learned how to drive. Pushing the gruesome thoughts away, he motioned for her to get in his patrol car.

Iris took one last look back at Mike and Eleven, not wanting to interrupt, but then realized this was life or death, and she was going to say goodbye to him. Before she could move over to the couple, Hopper called out to Eleven, telling her it was time to go. She nodded at Mike, then turning away.

Iris took this as her opportunity, catching Mike's eye before he could go back inside. Now that she was closer, she could see the tears that were falling down his chin. She put her hand on his shoulder, but Mike wrapped his arms around her, which surprised her.

The last time Micheal Wheeler had hugged her was when Will went missing, but just like that time, Iris let him sob into her shoulder, holding him tight.

Mike had always been complicated to her. She felt like he hadn't been treating his friends like how he did the years before, but he was just a boy. He'd learn. Iris patted him on the back. "I'll take care of her."

"I know." Mike said, letting go.

Iris backed away, smiling bleakly at the boy before walking to the other patrol car, her dad already in the passenger seat. before she opened the car door, she heard the door to the house open, making her pause.

She didn't want to look back, because she felt like if she did, she wouldn't be able to move from the spot. But she did.

They were all standing there, watching them leave. Even from a distance, Steve's expression made her heart lurch. Iris looked at him, and mouthed a quick 'I'll be okay' before ducking into the car.

She tried her best not to look back, biting the inside of her cheek to stop herself from crying. She would be back.

Hopper sped off quickly, John following right behind him. The night was calm, a direct contrast to whatever awaited them in a few mere moments.

"What if I can't do it?" Iris whispered, staring at her hands, which were covered in dirt and blood.

"Indirectly or not, you've been training for years, Iris." John said. "If anyone can do it, it's you."

The rest of the car ride was silent. Iris spent most of it trying to calm her nerves. She wasn't sure what she was more scared of, whatever was in that lab, the gate, or having to walk those hallways again.

She had almost stopped bouncing her leg when the lab finally came into view. Iris involuntarily shuddered, a chill going down her spine. She was much less fearful hours ago, when her father and friends were trapped in the lab, but now, she felt so small.

Suddenly, John grabbed her hand. "Before we go," He clears his throat. "I just wanted to say that I know I haven't been home much, or at all, really. But, I just wanted you to know that I'm proud of you. I'm always proud of you." Tears welled in his eyes. "You were everything I could have wanted in a daughter, and I'm so sorry if I ever made you doubt that."