𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐖𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐘 𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄

𝐥𝐚𝐛𝐲𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐡, 𝐒𝐓𝐑𝐀𝐍𝐆𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒

𝐇𝐄𝐍𝐑𝐘 𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐆𝐑𝐎𝐕𝐄
NOVEMBER 3RD, 1984

Henry reentered the kitchen just as Dustin animatedly explained to Max the concept of "Demo-Dogs." He couldn't help but find the term amusing, feeling it was far more clever than "Mews' Murderer"—may she rest in peace.

"I mean, when it was just Dart, maybe..." Dustin began, but Lucas quickly interjected, finishing his thought. "But there's an army now." Their eyes locked in a shared understanding, and Henry moved to stand beside Mike. They exchanged a brief glance before turning their attention back to the group. Mike had never been particularly fond of Henry or his stepmother; he had always resisted the idea of any newcomers joining their tight-knit circle. Yet, in this moment, Henry sensed a shift—perhaps Mike was beginning to accept the chaos surrounding them.

Suddenly, Mike's expression changed as he made a realization. "His army." The room fell silent as everyone turned to him, confusion etched on their faces. "What do you mean?" Steve asked, curiosity piqued as he sought clarification on the identity of the enigmatic "he." "His army!" Mike repeated, emphasizing the urgency in his voice, as if the sheer repetition would render the information clearer.

"Maybe if we can stop him, we can stop his army too!" Mike's words hung in the air, and the group exchanged uneasy glances, uncertainty settling among them. Henry was the first to voice the question on everyone's mind. "Who are you talking about?" he inquired, focusing his attention on Mike, who rolled his eyes as though the answer should have been self-evident. Without a word, Mike dashed out of the room, leaving the others bewildered in his wake.

Everyone hurried after Mike to Will's room, where he hastily grabbed a drawing and handed it to Dustin. "The Shadow Monster," he declared. Henry let out an understanding "oh," recalling Steve's earlier mention of it. "It got Will that day on the field." Henry scrunched his face in confusion, realizing that day was likely the same one he had been suspended.

"The doctors said it was like a virus; it infected him," Mike explained. Max interjected, piecing together the puzzle. "So this virus is connecting him to the tunnels?" she asked, glancing at Mike in confusion. "To the tunnels, the monsters, the Upside Down—everything," he replied, urgency in his voice.

"Whoa. Slow down. Slow down," Steve interjected, but for Henry, everything clicked into place. Mike was correct; it was Will's army. Will was, in a sense, in control. "Wait. I get it," Henry began, drawing the attention of everyone, especially Mike. "The Shadow Monster controls everything—basically everything. Right, Mike?" He turned to Mike, seeking confirmation, which he received in the form of a slow nod.

The blonde boy continued, elaborating for Steve. "So let's say if we hurt one of the..." He glanced at Dustin and added, "Demo-Dogs." Dustin grinned and nodded in approval. "I would feel that pain as well. He feels everything they feel, even the vines in the tunnel."