𝗯𝗲𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗱𝗲𝗻.

forty.

THE RIGHT SIDE UP

edited.
5659 words.

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"All right, lab rats." Murray yanked open the truck door. "Let's scurry out."

With a grunt and a quick kiss to Joyce's cheek, Hopper climbed out the truck, lugging his bag and giant gun with him. Kali followed closely behind, Eleven rising last.

Charlie grabbed her arm, pulling her back towards her. "El." She whispered, her mind racing. She didn't know what had happened yesterday but her sister had been behaving strangely since. "Whatever's going on, you can do this. We will win."

El smiled, running a hand over her sister's face. "I know."

She quickly pulled her sister into a hug before pushing away and jumping down to the ground. She turned to wave goodbye but before Charlie could raise her hand in response the door had slammed shut.

A moment later, they were chugging along the road again, leaving Eleven in the dust.

* * *

"No sign of an evil moving planet." Lucas mumbled, looking up at the tower through his binoculars.

"Well that's good, cause this is going to take some time." Jonathan sighed, walking over to a ladder. "Let's split up, use both ladders. Don't rush. Pace yourselves. There are platforms along the way so use them to rest."

Everyone nodded.

"Alright, let's do this."

Charlie trailed behind Steve and Dustin, waiting for them to get up a few rungs before she started climbing to. She only made it up about two feet before her abs started to ache, her heart burning in her chest.

Like Jonathan said she moved slowly, grateful Lucas wasn't rushing her from behind. Everything hurt but it was easy to mute the pain. There were so many bigger things to be focusing on.

After about ten minutes she'd reached the top. Carefully, she leaned over the side, sucking in a deep breath. They were high up, really high. It reminded her of the rollercoaster she'd been on with Will and Jonathan. She threw up after.

"It's pretty damn spectacular." Dustin chimed from beside her.

Lucas settled on her other side. "It's almost too bad we have to blow it up."

Charlie looked between the two boys. "This is going to work."

"Well, yeah." Lucas shook his head. "It has to."

At the sound of a sharp crackle all three kids looked up, a giant rock emerging from the sky. As it continued to move it became clear it wasn't just a rock, more structures appearing around them.

The world, it was moving.

Just like Dustin said it would.

Lucas frowned. "Guys... it's not lining up."

"What do you mean it's not lining up?"

"The tower needle! It's not lining up with the rift!"

"If the Abyss hits the needle-"

"This tower's going down." Charlie finished, her eyes growing wide.

"Hey Chief!" Dustin called into his walkie. "We're gonna need El to stop this planet! On the sooner side!"

"How soon?"

"Thirty seconds!"

The Abyss began to grow closer, Dustin latching a hand to the railing. "Chief, talk to me! What's going on in there?!"