Keep me Closer - Billy Hargrove - Stranger Things

33: The Source

We were back as El and Hoppers house and El was trying to find them. Any of them. Billy, Tom, Heather, her mom, Mrs. Driscoll. Any of them. She had been looking for hours. She had yet to find anything.

Jonathan day next to me and comfortingly put his hand on my back. He was good about knowing when I was stressed. But I think everyone knew I was stressed now. I mean how could I not be. Everyone is.

I looked at him and frowned. I whipped dry blood off his cheek bone. I looked back down at the floor.

"She's gonna find him." He told me.

"I know we will. But what if it's too late? I mean it's taking her this long what if they have already done what they needed to do. What if they are all dead that's why we can't find them. What if Billy is dead and I didn't get to say goodbye and the last thing I did to him was blast him threw a brick wall and the last thing he did to me was nearly choke me to death For the second time." I cried.

"Look, I'm sure he's still alive you just h-"

"You don't know that. None of us do."

"You're right, but I thought you and Will were dead, but here you guys are." Jonathan encouraged.

I didn't say anything. I knew he didn't like Billy. But it was nice of him to comfort me. I hugged him. "Thanks." I sniffled. He was hesitant. Me and Jonathan haven't had more then like 3 sibling moments in the last year. I was told me and Jonathan were really close as young teenagers. My mom said we were each other's best friends and basically inseparable. But once I lost most of my memories with him I guess everything changed. I always felt bad for Jonathan. I wasn't who I used to be and Nancy was dating Steve. And then later I was dating Billy and Jonathan had no one. He had Will but Will was usually with his friends. Me and Jonathan still talked but I could tell how long it took for him to get used to the new me.

"It can't be good for her to be in there for this long." Mike worried.

"Mike, you need to relax." Max suggested.

"What if she gets brain damage or something?" Mike thought.

"Oh crap, is that like a real thing?" Lucas asked worriedly.

"No it's not, he made it up. Mike doesn't know what the heck he's talking about." Max said.

"Oh and you do?!" Mike said angrily.

"No, I don't. But I'm sure El knows her limits. She will get out when she needs to."

"But what if she doesn't know. Or what if she ignores her limits. She needs a break even if it's just for a minute. Using her powers this long can't be good. Right Quinn?" Mike said and all the kids simultaneously looked at me.

I looked at Max and at Mike and I swear they were both making the exact same ' tell them they're wrong' face with wide eyes and and impatient look sticking their heads out waiting for my answer.

"I-I I don't know it depending how much she's using. I mean she doesn't look exhausted, I'm sure she's okay, Mike." I smiled and he didn't return one. He just stared at me and rolled his eyes. Angry he didn't get the answer he wanted.

Mike stormed off and Max followed.

Me and Lucas looked at each other and shrugged. I liked Lucas. He was funny. He was a complete dork around Max. But he was funny.

"Okay guys, can you settle an argument for us?" Max stomped and Mike was right behind. We all looked at them. "Who do you think should decide Els limits? Mike? Or Eleven?" She tilted her head, framing which answer we should choose.