There's No Place Like Hawkins//Stranger Things. SH

EIGHTY ONE

The Vanishing of Holly Wheeler

"What's your location? Over." Mike yelled through the walkie-talkie as both he and Lucas cycled frantically across town, heading to his house.

Cat picked up the walkie, answering so that Nancy could focus on driving quickly and safely. "Pickett, five minutes away." She told the Wheeler boy.

"You're way ahead of us." Mike replied. "Radio as soon as you're there!"

"We will. Stay safe."

"And Nancy, be careful." Mike called out to his older sister, worry heavy in his voice.

Nancy nodded her head at her brother's words, pressing her foot harder onto the gas pedal. "Hold on." She told her two passengers, El and Catherine. The car sped round the bend in the road, picking up speed as they raced towards the Wheeler house. In no time at all, Nancy's car pulled to sharp stop by the side of the house, and the three girls rushed out of their seats.

"It's inside." El observed, taking note of the flickering lights through the windows.

Nancy nodded her head. "I see it. Get ready." She slung her shotgun over her shoulder, holding it out in front of her. They marched through the side door and into the living room, pausing at the entrance to the kitchen. The house was a mess, wood, plaster and blood littering the floor. Cat's eyes followed the trail of blood to the kitchen counter as Nancy froze in shock at the sight before her, her gun slowly lowering. Cat couldn't help but let out a sharp gasp, her free hand flying up to cover her mouth.

"Nancy, what's going on?" Mike's voice echoed through the radio in Cat's hand. "Cat, talk to me! What's happening?"

The three stared, frozen in shock as they took in the sight before them. Lying next to the kitchen counter, hand reached out towards the phone laying next to her was Karen Wheeler, caked in her own blood. Cat blinked heavily, shaking herself out of her trance as she dropped the walkie to the floor. She shrugged off her jacket before pulling her jumper off over her head. "Mom!" Nancy cried out, placing her gun on the counter and dropping to the floor at her mother's side.

Cat and El raced over, kneeling on the woman's other side. Cat grimaced as she assessed Karen's injuries- the Demogorgon had really done a number on her. The poor woman had deep scratches across her throat and stomach. The three placed their jumpers over the wounds, making sure to put heavy pressure on them to try and stop the bleeding. "Don't try to talk, okay?" Nancy told her mom as the woman opened her mouth, trying to speak. "Just stay calm, okay? You're gonna be fine. It's gonna be fine, okay? You're gonna be fine."

Cat reached over, picking up the phone. She quickly dialled 911, holding the phone to her ear as she waited for an operator to pick up. "Hi, I need an ambulance. My friend's mom was attacked." Cat spoke quickly, wasting no time as soon as she heard someone at the other end of the line. "Maybe her dad, too. They're really badly injured." She rambled off the address, one she'd memorised since a young age, and kept the phone to her ear for any updates from the operator.