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THE FEELING of nothing and everything hit Jackie all at once, like she was floating and being suffocated at the same time. She didn't know how long it went on for, the mixture—the balance between what it felt two worlds. Maybe it was. She couldn't quite explain it, how the darkness consumed her all while feeling a sort of freedom she'd never experienced before.
And then she was no longer floating—her feet were on a cold, wet floor. Everything around her was black, and as she glanced down, she realized she could see herself. This space she was in seemed endless, her feet patted on water, making her shiver.
"Found her," a voice echoed from behind. Jackie whirled, hands out, only to relax when she saw Eleven approaching. Beside her was Kali and Max.
"Oh, thank God," Jackie breathed.
Max rushed over to her, taking her hands in her own and giving her a once-over. "Are you okay? El said Vecna got you. That he has-"
"My physical body," Jackie concluded, nodding. "Yes. I don't understand how I am here."
"I can hijack you," Eleven said, simply. "Steal you from Vecna's mind and into my own. Only.. I think I can use you. To find him."
"Do it," Jackie encouraged. "Find him. Get me out of that place."
Eleven nodded, stepping closer to her. Gently, she placed her index finger onto Jackie's forehead, prompting both of them to close their eyes. Jackie felt a jolt go through her, and when she opened them again, Vecna was before her, floating and in a trance, just like she'd seen him before. In the Creel house, Nancy shooting at him. Before he'd scampered off into the Abyss.
Eleven was taking his gross, slimy hand before Jackie could register what she was doing. Another jolt, this time more painful. She yelped, but when she blinked, she was standing in a hallway.
"No way," she breathed. The same place from her dreams, Henry's memories once again.
Max gasped from next to her, Eleven flew up to comfort them both. "You two okay?"
"Oh, great," her sister huffed. "I've really missed this."
There was a boom from somewhere far, though Jackie could almost feel it vibrate from around her. Eleven turned, slowly. "Hop. The Abyss is moving. How close are we to Henry's house?"
"Not close," Max replied.
"How not close?" Kali demanded.
"I'm not sure," Max admitted, glancing to Jackie.
"You said you know his mind backwards and forwards."
"Yeah, I do! But there are a shit ton of memories in here. We're, like, Dorthy in Oz, except there's no Yellow Brick Road. Everything connects, but there are long ways and short ways."
