the year of el | mileven

ch. 25 | war zone

Jones held his hands up in surrender "What? Are you really gonna shoot me?"

"Who knows.. Maybe we'll just beat you senseless" Mike icily retorted, keeping the pistol pointed

The doctor slowly backed away, quickly glancing behind him "Maybe we can come to some kind of arrangement instead?"

Dustin glanced at Mike "We should just tie him up man and let the cops handle his ass"

"Yeah" Lucas agreed "Let's tie him up and get you and El outta here.. No offense man but you look awful. You definitely need medical help or somethin."

The doctor had backed further away, his back now against one of the covered tanks

"Stop moving!" Mike demanded, holding the trigger

"Sorry.. I just" Jones hastily hit a button on the side of the tank "needed to do this!"

The tank's cover fell as it began to open up

Jones darted away

The boys stood there in shock, their eyes bulging while the lights began to flicker on and off rapidly

A high pitched shrill flooded the room as the monster's sharp claws tore away at the side of the tank

"FUCK!" Dustin yelled out

Mike handed him the gun "I'm gonna go get El! You guys try to hold off the demogorgon as long as you can!"

"Hold him off?" Dustin gulped, as he shakily held the gun in his hands

"Give it to me!" Lucas shouted "I'll take him out!"

"No, I got this!" Dustin replied, holding up the gun steadily

The monster made its way outside of the tank, his attention quickly being grabbed by Jones who was fleeing towards the door.

The doctor let out a un-human like scream as the young monster grabbed him and started to devour him

"Matter of fact, you can have it!" Dustin pushed the gun towards Lucas

Mike had made his way to the girl who was still strapped to the chair with her eyes closed

"EL!" He shouted as he began to break off her restraints "I need you to come back now!"

✧

El had been sitting in the slime covered abyss waiting for her next orders.

She had already spied on Russian troops and reported their plans to the professor.

She didn't like being an accomplice to this at all. It just wasn't right. She wondered how much more they'd make her do for them before she was freed. What if she had to go back to Hawkins Lab and do this again daily? She couldn't, not again. She wasn't strong enough.

"El" a low but gentle voice pierced through, disturbing her thoughts

This voice. She'd recognize this voice anywhere. It was Mike.

Eleven looked up into the bleak sky. Was she imagining this? Maybe her thoughts of comfort were beginning to take over her reality.

"Come back"

She had heard him again much clearer now.

Suddenly it hit her, that this was real.

✧

A car door slammed shut and heavy steps pounded against the concrete

"Where are they?" Hopper harshly bellowed.