The Protector

The Sauna Test Part 1

Maddie and the girls decided to head back to Max's house to have another sleepover. The drive there was completely silent, no one even moved. After the girls arrived, Maddie quickly got out of the car and walked inside.

The group went into Max's room and Maddie put her bag down. Before either of the girls could say anything Maddie stated, "I'm going to the bathroom, I'll be right back".

Maddie locked the bathroom door before looking into the mirror. She saw herself looking liked a sobbing mess. All she could think about is how Billy dismissed her as a "very close friend", not once, but twice. "Why was Billy even there? He never even talks to Heather at work", Maddie mumbled to herself while pacing around the bathroom.

Before Maddie could brainstorm more she heard a knock on the door. "Maddie, come on we are about to introduce Eleven to Wonder Woman!", Max yelled with a smile on her face.

Maddie quickly wiped her tears trying to hide the very obvious evidence that she has been crying. She walked into the room with a smile before sitting in the middle of Eleven and Max. Max held up the magazine before saying, "This is Wonder Woman, AKA Princess Diana". As Max continued to explain who Wonder Woman was, both girls head's fell on to Maddie's shoulders. Maddie was trying to listen to Max but her head was all over the place.

Soon enough the girls decided it was time for bed. Eleven decided to sleep in the middle while Maddie laid on her right and Max laid on her left. The young girls fell asleep quickly while Maddie hoped she would hear a car engine revving in front of the house. Sadly, Maddie's wish did not come true.

"Do you copy?", the girls heard Lucas question for what felt like the twentieth time this morning. Max scoffed before picking up the walkie-talkie before saying, "Shut up!". Max then shut off her walkie causing the girls to roll over.

Soon enough, Maddie's walkie-talkie sounded off causing Max to answer it as well before saying the exact same thing as she did before.

After about a minute, the phone rang causing Max to state, "You've got to be kidding me". "I've got it", Maddie said with a groan getting out of the bed.

"Come on guys, we're sleeping. What's wrong?", Maddie asked the boys tiredly. "Hey Maddie, it's Mike. Do not hang up. Something happened, something bad. Our very lives can be at stake", Mike stated.

"What are you talking about?", Maddie questioned confused. "Just come over to my house. We'll explain everything. Hurry", Mike said before hanging up.

"What did he say?", Eleven and Max asked Maddie at the same time. Maddie quickly explained what Mike told her to the girls before getting dressed. Maddie quickly drove the group to the Wheeler residence before quickly rushing down to the basement to see the boys.

"I didn't think it was anything at first. I mean, I think I just didn't want to believe it. The first time I felt it was at Day of the Dead", Will started causing Maddie to sigh.

"Power went out that night, too", Mike said. "And then I felt it again at the field near the Nelson farm the next day. Then again yesterday outside Castle Byers", Will added. "What does it feel like?", Max questioned curiously.

"It's almost like... You know when you drop on a roller coaster?", Will asked the group causing everyone to say a version of "yes" except for Eleven who said "no".

"It's like... everything inside your body is just sinking all at once, but this is worse. Your body... it goes cold and- and you can't breathe. I've felt it before, whenever he was close", Will stated looking down. "Whenever who was close?", Max questioned causing Maddie to look up in realization before answering, "The Mind Flayer". Will nodded at Maddie causing Eleven to say, "I closed the gate".

"I know, but... what I'd he never left? What is we locked him out here with us?", Will asked Eleven causing Maddie to rub her head trying to get her developing headache to go away.

Will slammed a piece of paper down on the table before aggressively scribbling a drawing on it. "This is him. All of him. But, that day on the field, a part of him attached itself to me. My mom got it out of me... and Eleven closed the gate. But the part that was still in me, what if it's still in our world? In Hawkins". "I don't understand. The Demo-dogs died when El closed the gate. If the brain dies, the body dies", Max stated confused.

"We can't take any chances. We need to assume the worst. The Mind Flayer's back", Mike said. "Yeah. And if he is, he'd want to attach himself to someone again. A new me", Will stated. "A new host", Lucas added. "How can you tell is someone is a host?", Maddie questioned. Eleven looked at Maddie with recognition of what she was saying causing Maddie to frown looking away. 

Maddie drove all five kids to the community pool. "I don't know. He looks pretty normal to me", Max stated looking at Billy through binoculars.

"Normal? How many times have you seen him with a shirt on?", Lucas asked Max. "I mean, it's a little weird", Max mumbled out. "More than a little. He was in a tub with ice. The Mind Flayer likes it cold. Plus everything else-", Mike started to say. "But he is lounging at the pool", Maddie cut him off before Max added, "Which is, like, the least Mind Flayer thing ever". "Not necessarily", Will stated.

"The Mind Flayer likes to hide. He only used me when he needed me. It's like... like you're dormant. And then, when he needs you, you're activated", Will finished causing Maddie to frown lightly. "Okay, so we just... wait until he gets activated", Max stated.

"No. What is he hurts someone", Mike said. "Or kills someone", Lucas added. "We can't take the chance. We need to find out if he's the host", Mike stated causing the boys to walk away towards the pool.

The kids went to get their plan set up, while Maddie keeps watch on Billy using the pair of binoculars. "I really, really hope it's not you", Maddie mumbled to herself while watching Billy. 

Soon enough, Maddie was joined, in watch, by Max who took the binoculars from Maddie. "God, I hope it's not you. I really hope it's not you", Max said causing Maddie to state, "You and me both, Maxi". 

A/N: Sorry for the late update! There will be another chapter uploaded sometime tonight. Please feel free to comment, I would love to hear your opinions! As always I hope you enjoyed and don't forget to vote. Love from the author, over and out!