Downside Up [W.Byers]

006

"So come on and let me know. Should I stay or should I go? Should I stay or should I go now? Should I stay or should I go now? If I go there will be trouble. If I stay there will be double." Will and Ruby sing quietly, meanwhile mike and eleven listen from another world.

"You know, Will. Sometimes a loss is the best thing that can happen to you. It teaches you what you should have done next time." She sighs, an arm wrapped around him.

"That's not much help." He sighs. "You're right. I'm sorry. I shouldn't talk." She sighs, resting her head on his shoulder. "It's okay, Rube." He replies silently.

Ruby lifts her head, facing him with wide eyes. "What did you call me?" She asks in shock. "Rube- i-if you don't like it, then I won't-"

"No! I love it." She smiles, surprisingly wrapping her arms around him. "Sorry. No one's ever given me a nickname. It means we're friends." She grins.

"I wish I had a nickname for you, but I'm pretty sure your name is already a nickname." She sighs, once again resting her head on his shoulder.

Will hums in response.

"Hey, rube?" Will asks. "Yeah?" Ruby asks. "Will I live?" He sniffles. Ruby's breath hitches as she nervously exhales. "I mean- I survived, didn't I?" She asks. "And I was so called 'weak' according to you." She chuckles.

Will laughs silently, a small smile creeping onto his lips. "Was it is this bad for you?"

"I can hardly remember." She shrugs. After a silent moment, Will begins to silently cry. Ruby sighs, wrapping her arms around him. "It's gonna be fine. We're gonna be fine." She whispers.

Meanwhile in another dimension

Mike, Lucas, Dustin, and eleven listen to the cries coming from the walkie talkie. "We keep losing the signal, but you heard it, right?" Mike asks.

"Yeah, I heard a baby." Lucas responds. "I heard a girl, too." Dustin adds. "See? There's someone talking to Will. I even heard her singing with him earlier." Mike argues.

"It can't be a baby." Mike shakes his head. "Mike, you obviously tapped into a baby monitor. It's probably the Blackburns' next door." Lucas explains calmly. "Uh, did that sound like a baby to you?" Mike asks. "That was Will! And there was a girl!"

"Mike..." Lucas trails off. "Lucas, you don't understand. The two of them spoke last night. Words! Him and that girl were singing that weird song he loves. Even El heard them!" Mike notions towards the girl.