Surreal ✿ M. Wheeler ✿

✿ seven ✿

To say the boys were shocked was a huge understatement. The understatement of the year. They were beyond shocked, and Josie could see it in their eyes. As she looked at them, she took notice to how their faces wet showing various different emotions, especially Mike's.

Josie could feel the emotions radiating off of him. If this were a different situation, taking control of his mind wouldn't be much of an issue for her. She found that people whose emotions were all out of whack had a weaker mind and was, therefore, more easy to control. However, controlling minds wasn't an issue for the girl for she was able to pretty much do anything with it at this point and time. It was the actual takeover that she had problems with. But that wasn't the problem now, she had other things to worry about.

"Hello?" she called as she looked at the boys that sat in front of her.

"Are you actually here?" Mike asked, pinching himself to make sure she was actually there and not a figment of his imagination like last night.

"Yes, I'm actually here, Michael," Josie said as she looked at the dark haired boy.

Mike, Lucas, and Dustin all exchanged glances, their eyes going wide as they realized what has happened. Josie didn't actually run away. She was standing right in front of them, covered from head to toe is dirt and blood that they knew wasn't hers. But that didn't matter right now, she was back, and that was all the boys cared about at the moment.

"Oh my god," Dustin said as they all stood from their spots, leaving Eleven sitting on the floor. "What on earth-?"

"All will be explained, dear friends," Josie said as she walked closer to the boys. They didn't move not an inch as she walked closer, afraid that this was some sort of imposter. That their friend was actually gone and this person was just playing a weird prank on them. She continued, "but before we talk, I need a change of clothes... and a shower."

They stood in their spots frozen for a few more seconds before Dustin and Lucas punched their friend in his shoulder, finally forcing Mike out of his trance. The one that he was put in because Josie was standing in front of him, not just because he liked her, but he could see all of the bruises on her body as she stood in front of them. She couldn't hide them anymore, because she had nothing but a hospital gown on, no long sleeves and no pants. He was sure to ask her about those later.

"Oh... um... okay," Mike stuttered as he stood from his spot, walking over to Josie, still eying the bruises on her arms and legs. His eyes then travelled to hers and he took a shaking breath, "I-If you could f-follow me."

The two slowly made their way upstairs, both trying to avoid being caught by Mike's parents and little sister. Sure, Josie could easily just make them forget she was there, but she'd rather not have that be the reason why she tells him and her friends about the newfound abilities she's come to somewhat master. She was still finding out she could do things to people, and lord knew how far her powers went.

They stopped when Mike saw his mother sitting in the dining room. He put his hand on his friend's shoulder and then took it off, looking at it and seeing some of the dried red substance on his hand. He pressed his lips together and took a deep breath, gulping at he did so. He then looked away, trying to hide his disgust and unease by thinking of a way for the two to walk past his mother.

"You wait here," he whispered to Josie. "I'll try to get her to look away."

"No," she whispered back as she looked at him. He looked at her with raised eyebrows, confused. "Don't worry about. Let's just keep going."

"But what about-?"

"Michael?" Karen called out to her son. Mike looked at his mother with wide eyes and gulped as they made eye contact. Josie turned her head and looked at Mrs. Wheeler, her face completely calm. Mike held in his scream as he looked at the woman who was sitting at the table with raised eyebrows. She looked at him, "Honey, who are you talking to?"