𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐀𝐅𝐓𝐄𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐇 || stranger things

madmax.

On October 29, 1984, a group of friends, including Mike Wheeler, Dustin Henderson, Maggie May Hopper, and Lucas Sinclair, gathered at the Palace Arcade. They had pooled their spare change, which included some that Mike had managed to "borrow" from his sister Nancy, for a fun day out. This adventure was met with an added layer of excitement as Maggie had recently dyed her hair back to black, leaving behind the pink streaks that once marked her appearance. Her friends, including her secret boyfriend, Lucas, liked the change and embraced her new look.

Joyce Byers, Will's overprotective mother, watched over her son with a loving yet anxious eye when dropping him off at the arcade. Her concern for Will's well-being was evident, and she couldn't help but worry about his safety, given the events of the past year.

The group gathered around as Dustin took on the challenging arcade game, Dragon's Lair. Unfortunately, his attempt ended with the titular dragon taking his character's life before he could grab the coveted magic sword needed to slay it. Lucas couldn't help but tease Dustin, playfully proclaiming his superiority at the game and expressing his affection for the game's virtual princess, Daphne.

Their fun was interrupted when Keith, an employee at the arcade, approached Dustin with some news. He informed Dustin that his high scores in Centipede and Dig Dug had been surpassed by an unknown player with the username "MADMAX." Keith offered to reveal the identity of the high scorer in exchange for the favour of setting him up on a date with Maggie May. Mike and Lucas were immediately opposed to the idea, but Dustin, always up for a bit of mischief, was all for it. The thought of this made Maggie want to throw up.

As they engaged in a spirited debate, Will noticed something unusual. He glanced outside and saw what appeared to be snow falling, an odd occurrence for late October. Intrigued and concerned, he realised that something was amiss when he observed that everyone in the arcade had suddenly disappeared.

In a disorienting twist of events, the setting shifted into a nightmarish realm known as the Upside Down. Will stepped outside and saw menacing storm clouds on the horizon, illuminated by flashes of eerie red lightning. His surroundings grew increasingly sinister, and it seemed that he had once again been drawn into the supernatural world that had haunted him before.

Maggie, sensing that something was wrong, approached Will with concern, snapping him out of his bewildered state. The mysteries of the Upside Down and its unsettling presence continued to loom over their lives, and the group couldn't help but be drawn into another enigmatic and terrifying adventure.

At Hawkins High, the next day was bustling with activity as students went about their daily routines. Among them, the newly love-struck couple, Jean Carlton and Steve Harrington, found a quiet moment in Steve's car. Jean diligently worked on revising her college essay, her mind full of dreams and aspirations for the future. The conversation between them took a thoughtful turn as they discussed the path their relationship might take after graduation. Their young hearts were filled with hope and uncertainty as they contemplated their futures.

However, their peaceful moment was disrupted by the arrival of two new students. As they stepped out of the car, it was clear that they had garnered the attention of those around them. The high school boy was the subject of admiring glances from girls as he confidently walked by, an air of charisma and mystery surrounding him. Jean couldn't help but be both shocked and intrigued by his arrival.

The middle school skateboarder girl accompanying him added an unexpected twist to the scene, her youthful energy and determination evident. Their presence had injected a sense of novelty and excitement into the high school environment, leaving many students, including Jean and Steve, curious about the newcomers and the stories they carried with them.