An old foe comes back from the dead seeking retribution and revenge. (*DISCLAIMER* This is a sequel to my other book Surrender. Please read that first or this fic will make literally no sense. We don't know yet what happens after S4 so plot points in this book will be my own to work with the story I created from this universe and separate from whatever happens in S5. TW: Extremely dark themes, murder, death, themes of abuse, mentions of abuse, fighting, swearing, smut. Mature themes throughout though so definitely NO MINORS. Enjoy 🖤 )

She didn't know any better. Years of being raised by the evil entity that was once Henry Creel skewed her view of the world she once lived in. When Y/N is sent by him from the Upside Down to infiltrate those that so tediously continue to thwart his plans, she ends up finding something with someone that she never could have expected. Will she betray the one who raised her, who helped her escape that horrific lab? Or will she help him burn it all to the ground? One thing was for sure. There was only one thing that might change her mind... She just doesn't doesn't even know he exists... Yet. ( Set from the beginning of S4 once flashbacks cease but reader has been part of prior Vecna plans. Reader is over 18/older than El to fit with Steve without it being weird and has powers; is 002 in this story so assume the bullies in the show were 003 upwards. Long-ish intro with flashbacks to try and make it make sense lmfao but only a few chapters. Please read TW's before reading and let me know if there's anything I missed. TW: Violence, brainwashing, death, both mental and physical abuse, manipulation, smut in later chapters, fem!Reader, angst )