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𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐨𝐟𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧sent a wave of shock throughout the group. Lily, Steve and Max looked at the girl curiously, for the first time. Then, it wasn't long before all hell broke loose. Mike, who had a soft spot for Eleven, realised that Hopper had been keeping the girl hidden for a year and he had completely lost his temper.
While the two of them yelled at each other from another room, Dustin introduced Lily and Steve to Eleven, who smiled at them politely. Max, on the other hand, was shunned by the girl, much to their confusion.
Once Mike had calmed down, the group, now with Eleven, gathered in the kitchen once more. Hoping for no more interruptions, they resumed talking about Will's message. They now knew the way to put a stop to everything was to close the gate to the Upside Down.
"It's not like it was before. It's grown" Hopper sighed, looking harassed, "And that's considering we can get in there, the place is crawling with those dogs-"
"Demodogs" Dustin corrected, "Like demogorgon and dogs. You put them together, they sound pretty badass-"
"How is that important?" Hopper interjected.
"It's not. I'm sorry" The younger teen muttered.
"So, how do we close the gate this time?" Lily asked.
Hopper sighed again, "I don't know, kid".
"I can do it" Eleven spoke up, taking the others by surprise. Up until now, she had barely spoken two words.
"You're not hearing me" Hopper said, "This thing has grown, it's not like it was last year".
"I'm hearing you" Eleven persevered, "I can do it".
"But even if El can, there's still another problem" Mike chimed in, "If the brain dies, the body dies".
"I thought that was the whole point" Max frowned.
"It is" Mike nodded, "But, if El closes the gate and kills the Mind Flayer's army-"
Lucas' eyes widened, "Will's a part of that army".
"So, closing the gate will kill him" Mike said, slowly.
A cold silence fell across the room at this. Eventually, Joyce rose from her chair and made her way into the nearest bedroom, where Will lay unconscious. Realising that she was onto something, the others trailed behind.
"He likes it cold. It's what he kept saying to me" Joyce muttered, crossing the room and pulling the window shut, "We keep giving it what it wants".
"If this is a virus, and Will's the host, then-" Nancy began.
