Downside Up [W.Byers]

008

The next morning, Mike walks down the steps, pulling open the blanket, shocked to see Ruby. He wasn't expecting to see anyone since eleven left.

"Who are you?" He asks. "I'm R-R-Ruby. Nancy brought me here.. I.. she found me." Ruby says nervously. "Found you? Where? On the streets?"

She shakes her head, slowly standing up next to him. "I know where Will is. I was with him. Now, I lost him." She states. "You're the girl. The one we heard." Mike says in realization.

She nods, tears forming in her eyes. Mike reaches for her wrist, yet she pulls away, lighting a small fire in defense. "What are you doing?" She asks.

"Woah.." He gasps, watching the fire. "I was.. I was checking for a tattoo.. you know, a number?" He asks. "Oh." Ruby puts out the fire, showing him her wrist.

"We can't tell my mom. I'll tell Nancy I found you and scared you away." He says. "But-"

"No! No one can know." He cuts her off, pushing her back under the table. "Ruby? Are you-" Nancy looks around curiously, finding only Mike.

"Mike? Did you see anybody down here?" Nancy asks. "What? Oh! Yeah.. I saw a girl. I scared her away. Hobo tried to break in." Mike says nervously.

Ruby scoffs as she sits. "Oh, yeah. Good, I guess." Nancy says, then runs back up the stairs.

"Shit!" She shouts.

"So, you're telling me that this is the girl that we heard?" Dustin asks, motioning to Ruby. Mike nods.  "Does she talk?" Dustin asks. "Yes, I talk." She rolls her eyes.

"I just.. I can't believe she didn't come back." Mike says disappointedly. "Who didn't come back?" Ruby squints.

"El. Im sure you know her. She's from the lab."

"Eleven, You mean?" She asks. He nods with a sigh. "She's the one who tortured me whenever I didn't do something right. I hated her." She says angrily.

Mike and Dustin share a glance, then try and change the subject. "She's gotta be close." Dustin says. "She said it wasn't safe." Mike argues.

"What not safe-"

"Stop talking! You're not a part of this, Ruby! Stay out of it!" Mike shouts. She sighs, walking away and taking a seat on the couch. "She just messed up the compasses because she wanted to protect us. She didn't betray us." Mike defends.

"Mike, calm down." Dustin speaks up. "I shouldn't have yelled at her. I never should have done that." He sighs.

"Mike, this isn't your fault." Dustin argues. "Yeah, it's Lucas'" Mike says angrily. "Lucas.. he's also one of will's friends, right? He told me that." Ruby speaks up.