Downside Up [W.Byers]

054

They walk out of the mall, getting into the car. Nancy tries to start it, but it fails. "What's wrong?" Jonathan asks.

"I don't know." She says as she tries again. The engine splutters more, beginning to frustrate her. "Didn't your mom just buy this car?" Lucas questions.

"Yes. I'm sure it's fine." Nancy responds. "Did you leave the lights on?" Will asks. "No." Nancy says. "Do we have gas?" Ruby adds. "Yes!" She shouts.

"Come on!" She yells in frustration as she attempts once again. "Stop!" Johnathan grabs her arm, pulling it away. "Pop the hood." He instructs, getting out of the car.

Nancy gets out along with him as they go to check it. "What the hell?" Johnathan mutters. "What?"

"The ignition cable's gone."

Suddenly, a bright blue car appears at the end of the parking lot, the engine revving loudly. Ruby grabs Will's hand in fear. They watch in worry from the car, before being startled by Nancy. "Back in the mall!" She shouts, throwing open the car door.

"Go! Go! Go!" Will pulls Ruby out, running back inside. She nearly trips a few times, her energy running low.

"Scoops troop, do you copy?" Mike says into the walkie talkie. "Scoops troop, do you copy?"

"Scoops troop, do you copy?"

Ruby, exhausted, takes a seat, followed by Will. "You alright?" He asks. "I think so." She replies, placing her palm on her forehead. "Just a headache."

"Okay." Will sighs, placing his hand over hers. "Scoops troop, I repeat, do you copy? We're trapped in the mall and in need of emergency transportation."

"Scoops troop, do you copy? Billy has found us. He has disabled our car and we are trapped in the mall." Mike continues.

"Repeat: Billy has disabled our car and we are trapped in the mall."

"God, Mike. They're not gonna answer!" Ruby shouts in frustration. "You're gonna Kill him, aren't you." Max asks worriedly, stepping up beside Will, watching Nancy load the gun.

"This is just a precaution, okay?" Nancy responds. "Can I.. can I help fight? You know, without killing?" Ruby speaks up. "Yeah. We're gonna need your help." She nods.

"And not just against Billy. If he knows we're here, so does the mind flayer." Will says. "Scoops troop, I repeat, we are in need of emergency transportation. Do you copy?"

"Scoops troop, do you copy?"

"No chance that things drive, right?" Nancy asks, looking at the beaten up car that el had thrown across. "We don't need it to drive." Johnathan states.

"We just need the ignition cable."

They all strain to push it up, failing miserably. Will and Ruby stand back with El. "Let me try." El says. "El..." Mike says.

She sighs, stepping forward. "I can do it." They all join will and Ruby, stepping away from the car. El uses the power she has left, but fails. "Alright. Maybe, if Will and I join, we could help." Ruby suggests.

"Why can't you just do what you did to make that van fly two years ago?" Mike asks. "First of all that was mainly el. Second of all, it risks causing a huge explosion. I'm using heat, remember?" She sighs.

They all walk around, grabbing the tall chairs from the food court and placing them under the car. "Push." Johnathan says. They all begin pushing as hard as they can, finally managing to flip it onto its side.

"Alright, now, all the way. Ready?" Johnathan asks. "Three, two, one.. push!" They use the rest of their energy to push it, succeeding.

"Told you. Physics." Mike breathes out. Nancy and Johnathan walk over to the hood, attempting to pull it open. "How do I get it open?" Nancy asks.

"Uh, there should be a latch. Check under the wheel." Johnathan responds. As Nancy walks over, Max turns to el, squinting her eyes in confusion. She's rummaging through the garbage.

"What's she doing?" Max asks. El sighs, pulling out a coke can. She places it on the counter, trying to focus her entry on crushing it. She fails. Her powers are gone.

Ruby turns to look at the girl sadly, instantly blowing up the can with her mind. El jumps back, turning to look at Ruby. "Don't worry about it, el. You're just tired. Might need some chocolate pudding." She smiles.

Ruby turns back to Will, who anxiously places his hand over the back of his neck. He turns to look at her in worry. "Ruby, I l-"

Suddenly, the mall begins to shake. They all glance up at the ceiling, where a large figure steps above them.

"Nancy!" Mike shouts. The glass ceiling begins to crack, evoking panic. "Come on." Will grabs Ruby's hand, pulling her closer to him. Suddenly, the horrifying monster jumps in through the ceiling.

The battle of Starcourt is only beginning.