Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Mike, Jonathan, Arygle and Will are currently driving in the dessert looking for El. ‘She should be here!’ Mike says. ‘Did you check if you marked it good on the map?’ Jonathan responds behind the weel. ‘Yes of course! It should be here.’ Mike says. Jonathan slams the brakes. ‘Jonathan what are you doing?’ Mike says. ‘Stopping us before we get more lost.’ Jonathan responds and he steps out of the car. So do the others. ‘Give me that.’ Jonathan says pointing at the map. ‘Will, what were the coordinates Suzie gave.’ Will grabs out of pocket a little note. ‘Um, okay. Longitude is 116 degrees five minutes, and 17--.’ ‘Slow down, slow down.’ Jonathan says.

Argyle has begun to separate from the group in the meantime. ‘NINA?’ He yells. ‘NINA?’

then focuses on a distant object. something that is constructed of metal. ‘My dudes! Come check this shit out!’ He screams to the group. ‘What is it?’ Mike replies. ‘Gotta see it to believe it, my dudes!’ The group moans before sprinting in the direction of Argyle. ‘So there is here no small women named NINA. But you said any signs of life, am I right?’ Argyle speaks. ‘Right.’ Mike answers. ‘Well, you see that in the distance. That is not sand or a cactus. No, that’s metal. Something built of metal by very intelligent people. Argyle declares. ‘We gotta go.’ Mike says. They immediately run back to the van after that.

They are going to find El.

Right?

After a few minutes they are finally in front of the mysterious door. When Mike pulls on the door handle, nothing happens. ‘It’s locked!’ Mike says. ‘Yeah what did you expect.’ says Jonathan. ‘There is a keypad over here to unlock it.’ Will opined. Will is approached by Mike. ‘Oh gosh..’ He says. "What kind of password do you think they would use," says Jonathan. "Yo bros, why wouldn't the password, to unlock this cool door, be Jane if they hide Jane?" While still high, Argyle answers. If I were a nasty guy in the government, I would do that. He adds. ‘Eleven.’ Will and Mike say in sync. ‘Wait what do you mean.’ Jonathan responds. Mike, on the other hand, is already entering in the three numbers.

0-1-1

But the door still won’t budge. ‘Damn it!’ Mike says. ‘Eleven..’ Will says. Will is still focusing on the keypad when Mike casts a quick glance his way. ‘Eleven…’ Will repeats. ‘Will, what do you mean by that?’ Asks Mike. Will gestures toward the numbers 1 and 0 on the keyboard. He replies, "Under the number." Mike can now also see it. Under the one is a dot pictured and under the zero a dash. ‘Morse code..’ Will says. He hurriedly touches the buttons with his finger.

E: Dot

L: Dot-dahs-dot-dot

E: Dot

V: Dot-dot-dot-dash

E: Dot

N: Dash-dot

Mike observes Will as he presses each key correctly. But after he is done

CLANG!

Everyone turns back to look at the door handle. When Mike applies pressure, it finally opens. ‘Wow, Will!’ Mike remarks as he surveys Will. Will responds with a small smile. ‘How did you even remember all that.’ He adds. Will’s smile immediately starts to fade away.

His eyes are being blinded by lights. He makes a valiant effort to move. But he is unable. He is bound by ropes. ‘What is this.’ . he mumbles, throat raw and scraping with the words. He doesn’t even know who’s in control anymore, who’s speaking. If it was Him. That Shadow. ‘Why am I tied up!’ There is a brief silence. Somewhere he hears a voice. ‘Look around you. Find out were you are!’ Will scans the area. however, not beyond himself. There is nothing he can do to stop it. The last things he hears before he drifts away is ‘Why am I tied up!’ and after that ‘Yes, go to sleep Will, you have done plenty today for me. Let me handle this...’ And Will slowly start to drift away as He takes control.

Then he hears a voice. ‘ Do you remember the first day that we met?’ Mike that was Mike his voice. ‘It was… It was the first day of kindergarten.’ As Mike speaks Will drifts back into the real world. ‘I knew nobody, I had no friends.’ Ever word gets louder and louder. ‘I just felt so alone and..and so  scared,  but…I saw you on the swings. You were alone too.’ Will remembers, he remembers and feels like he gets his body a little bit more back in control, pushing Him away.

‘You were just swinging by yourself. And I just… I just walked up to you and I asked. I asked if you wanted to be my friend.’ Will tries to say something, he tries, but his mouth won’t move, He will not let him speak. ‘And you said  yes . You said yes.’ But the thing He doesn’t know is that Will found some control in his fingers. ‘It was the best thing I’ve  ever  done.’ Mike says. They have to close the gate. Will knows it. And there is only one way to send that message at this moment. Morse code. And if he dies by closing it. So be it.

‘Sorry…’ Mike says soft. ‘I..I shouldn’t have had said that..’ Will gives a little nod. ‘It’s okay..’ He says soft. ‘Okay bro’s let’s go in.’ Argyle says walking towards the entrée. Mike yanks Argyle back immediately. ‘No. No way YOU are going in there.’ Mike says. ‘Yeah, sorry Argyle but it’s not save.’ Jonathan responds. ‘You’re not going in there as well Jonathan.’ Mike says. ‘What! No, I'm joining you and Will there! ’ Jonathan says defensive. ‘And leave Argyle here ALONE while he is high? No you stay here I go down with Will.’ Mike responds back. ‘But..’ Jonathan says. ‘I will be okay Jonathan.’ Will says. Jonathan moves over to Will and pulls him into a hug. ‘Be careful, okay? ’ Jonathan says. ‘I will.’ Will responds. ‘Okay let’s go then.’ Mike says. And with that Mike and Will go trough the door and walk down the steps.

"We stick together, alright? We don’t know what’s happing down there right now.’ Mike says. ‘Okay..’ As they approach the end of the staircase there is lift Infront of them. ‘Going down? Mike states. Will replies, "It seems like it's the only choice. When Will presses the button, the elevator doors open. The pair step inside and press the only button in the lift. Mike sighs. ‘Mike, don’t worry. Will declares, "We're going to find her." 'I know.. but.. But you know, I'm just a little worried. ’ ‘That’s okay.’ Will responds.

DING!

The lift has reached his destination and it opens up. But when it does, both of the boys their mouth falls open. Five soldiers are sprawled out on the ground. Dead. ‘Oh my gosh..’ Will says. ‘Holy shit..!’ Mike says. Will approaches a soldier. ‘Will, what are you doing!’ Will stays silent. ‘Will!’ Mike continues. Will holds the soldier's wrist and waits a short while. ‘Dead.’ He then says. Mike exhales a startling breath.

Will, meanwhile, is not really impressed by all the bodies. He flips the soldier over and takes the gun from his belt. ‘Here catch.’ Will says while throwing the gun at Mike. ‘Wait, what..?’ Mike says. And as he notices the pistol going in his direction, he swiftly moves aside. ‘Will, what the hell!’ Mike says. ‘What?’ Will answers. ‘You could’ve killed me!’ Mike yells. ‘Mike I’m only throwing a gun to you to protect yourself. And besides the safety is on so.’ Will opined. ‘Safety?’ Mike questions. ‘Mike your not going to tell me that you don’t know what I mean when I say that the safety in on.’ Mike says nothing at all.

'Do you even know how to use a gun, Mike?' Will queries. Mike stays silent. ‘Oh my gosh Mike..’ Will says while walking over. 'Do you know then?’ Mike questions. ‘Yes.’ Will answers. Mike looks at Will in disbelief as the youngster grabs the pistol from Mike's hands. ‘How.. How do you know how to use a gun! Mike enquires. ‘Lonnie.’ Will says soft. Mike says, "Oh.' ‘Yeah, he said if I knew that I would become a man and not a…’ Will stops. ‘Become what? Mike enquires. ‘Doesn’t matter…’ Will says. ‘Lets just… let’s just find El.’

They wander trough the halls, Will Infront of Mike holding the gun. The walk until they reach a big room. There is a sizable metal structure with the name NINA. ‘Oh my gosh.’ Mike says from behind Will. Voices can be heard at that point. ‘And again! ’

SHOCK!

‘Eleven.’ A man says. Mike turns to face Will. ‘Mmhh.’ A girl says. Will enters the space and turns to face the noise. Eleven, his sister, is lying on a bed of some sort, surrounded by two nurses and two doctors. One he physically remembers. And one he had heard a lot of terrifying stories from. Dr. Owens and Dr. Brenner. Will points the gun at them. ‘HAND UP!’ He yells. They all turn around to see the 15 year old pointing the gun at them. ‘Will, what are you doing!’ Mike says to him from behind. ‘Will.’ El says. Dr. Owens looks at Will. "Will, please put the pistol down." He says. ‘NO! NOT UNTIL YOU LET MY SISTER GO!’ Will yells. ‘Will.’ Now, Dr. Brenner says. ‘Will Byers.’ Will casts an angry gaze at the man. ‘You..’ Will says still pointing the gun at the group surrounding El. ‘I heard a lot about you William..’ Dr. Brenner says walking over to the boy. ‘LET HER GO!’ Will demands. ‘I definitely hear a lot about you.’ Brenner says looking at Dr. Owens. Will gives them both intense looks. Brenner had been told everything by Owens. About The week in The Upside Down, the Possession…

‘LET EL GO!’ Will yells once more. ‘I guess you don’t understand Will. I’m helping Eleven. Making her better again.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘No, No YOUR NOT! SHE NEVER WANTED TO BE BACK HERE! SO NOW I’M GOING TO ASKS YOU THIS ONE MORE TIME. LET. MY. SISTER. GO!’ ‘Sister.’ says Dr. Brenner. ‘Brother and sister.’ Will moves his finger closer to the gun's fire button. ‘A brother and sister have always something in common.’ Dr Brenner says. ‘I think I do what you and Eleven have in common.’ Will glances at El with a questioning expression.

‘Maybe I can help you too Will. You remind me of someone, someone I used to know very well, and so does Eleven.’ Dr. Brenner says stepping once again towards Will. ‘El what does he mean.’ Will questions. El, though, makes no reply. ‘So let me help, Will.’ He says. ‘NO, NO WAY! I’M GOING TO LEAVE NOW AND EL IS COMING WITH US!’ ‘Unfortunately I cannot allow that to happen.’ Dr. Brenner says. Will moves his finger to the fire button and then.

BAM!

A loud gunshot can be heard. Will, though, had missed. ‘Will, CALM DOWN!’ Doctor Owens yells. ‘NO!’ Will replies loudly. moving towards El's direction while holding the gun. ‘WILL!’ Mike shouts loudly from behind. When Will turns around, he sees troops securing Mike. Soldiers are approaching Will from behind Mike. But before Will can do anything the soldiers grab him firmly. ‘NO, NO!’ Will shouts. ‘LET ME GO! LET. ME GO!!’ El sprints in Mike's direction. ‘LET ME GO YOU BASTERD!’ Will yells. ‘LET ME GO!’ But the soldiers don’t listen. ‘Will, calm down!’ says Dr. Owens. ' You're currently only making things worse.'  ‘LET ME GO!’ ‘LET. ME. GO!!’

And with that final shout the soldiers get launched away from Will and the glass from the NINA project breaks. Will falls down his knees. He has blood coming out of his ears and nose. ‘Let..me..go..’ Will says soft. The soldiers approach him once more in a hurry. ‘No…’ Will tries to stand to get away but before he can, a needle gets injected in his neck. ‘WILL!’ Mike and El scream from behind. Dr. Brenner then walks up to Will. ‘I’m going to make you better.’ And with that Will passes out.

Chapter Text

!!Child Abuse!!

Mike watches in horror as troops shove Will down in an attempt to calm him down. ‘LET ME GO! LEAVE ME ALONE!" Will screams ‘LET ME GO YOU BASTERD!’ El rushes over to Mike at that point to rescue him from the soldiers. El!" Mike exclaims. ‘I’m okay.’ She answers right away. But then ‘LET. ME. GO!!’ Will lets out one last scream. The troops who were grabbing on Will were launched away. ‘What the hell..?’ Mike says. He swiftly casts a perplexed look El's way. ‘I don’t know either.’ She claims. Will falls onto his knees. Mike saw blood coming from his ears. ‘Will!’ Mike screams. But before he can reach Will, soldiers grab hold of both Mike and El. Two soldiers rushed over to Will. Mike could see Will struggling to get up and run from them. Before he knew it, a needle was put into Will's neck.

‘NOO!’ Mike yells. Will's body collapses. Dr. Brenner moves towards Will's direction. ‘NO GET AWAY FROM HIM!’ Mike yells while struggling towards the grip of the soldier that holding him at place. Dr. Brenner speaks swiftly to Will, but Mike is unable to understand what he is saying. Mike could only make out the words "Take him to the room." The troops picked up Will off the ground and dragged him away from the scene. ‘LET HIM GO YOU ASSHOLE!’ Mike yelled. Dr. Brenner glanced briefly in Mike's direction before he followed the soldiers dragging Will. ‘YOU ASSHOLE!’

The troops' hold on El and Mike was still giving them trouble. And when Dr. Brenner completely vanished, the soldiers who were holding them got launched back. Blood was dripping from El’s nose. ‘Oh my gosh El, you got your powers back!’ Mike screams. ‘No time for that now, we need to get out of here.’ El says grabbing Mike’s hand and dragging him towards the exit. ‘But El, what about Will! We can’t leave him here. Not with him!’ Mike expresses frustration. ‘He will be okay. We will come back, but for now we need to get out of here.’ El says firmly. Mike looks behind him. ‘You sure he’s going to be okay?’ ' He'll be fine, I promise.'

Will he?

Will begins to slowly awaken. He's laying down on something. He is lying on a bed. How is that even possible? For a few days, he had been sleeping in that ridiculous pizza van, which wasn't a bed. Will completely opens his eyes to look around. He is in a space with all-white walls. He was dressed differently. Sweatpants and a sweatshirt both in gray. He wasn’t wearing his usual yellow blocked blouse anymore with his brown pair of jeans. ‘What the hell..’ But before Will's mouth could finish speaking, he noticed a camera in the room's corner. The camara had a red light on it. It was recording him. Will stood up quite quickly, although he didn't come very far. He then noticed some handcuffs connected to the metal bed. And his right arm was where the other side of the pair was fastened. So was his right foot on the end of the bed. ‘What the fuck..’ Will says. Will makes an attempt to get free of the way he is attached to the bed, but it is unsuccessful. ‘What is THIS!’ Will screams towards the camera. Then he came to recollect what had happened. He had made an effort to get El away from Dr. Brenner. But his attempt had failed. ‘Shit.’ Will thought. Where were Mike and El. Did they just leave him.

Or did the doctors got them as well and locked them away, in the same kind of room Will was in right now? Will tried to sit up as far as he could and screamed once again towards the camera. ‘What is THIS!’

CLING!

As soon as he hears that sound, Will turns his head towards the door. Then the door handle gets pressed down. Will feels a rush of panic sweeping through him. Who or what was opening that door right now wasn’t something good. Will was aware of it. The door slid open. A man in a suit walked in and closed the door behind him.

CLING!

Will understood after hearing that noise once again. ‘Security code. They are using a code to enter this room.'

Will looked closely at the man in the suit, who had blonde hair. Will was well aware of his location. And the news certainly wasn't good. Will starts to breathe more heavily. Dr. Brenner turns around to face Will. ‘Will.’ He spoke. ‘No, no, no, not you again no.’ Will says. Dr. Brenner moves closer to the boy who is still in handcuffs. ‘No, GET AWAY FROM ME!’ Will shouts as he moves away from the man. ‘Will, don’t be afraid.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘NO DON’T TALK TO ME, GO AWAY!’ Will yells. But Dr. Brenner doesn’t go away. Of course he doesn’t. He only moves towards Will's direction. ‘That was quite a scene you showed back there.’ Will stays silent.

He doesn't do anything but stare angrily at Dr. Brenner. ‘As I said. A brother and sister have always something in common.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘Where is Dr Owens. I WANT TO TALK TO HIM, NOT YOU! Will demands. ‘I guess that will be a problem..’ Dr. Brenner responds. ‘What…?’ Will says low. ‘Dr Owens didn’t agree with me, and because he didn’t I had to take consequences. That’s what happens when you don’t listen to me.’

'Has the boy awakened yet?'  Asks Dr. Brenner. ‘Not yet.’ A other doctor answers. "Do you want us to set up the room already?" The doctor inquires. ‘Yes, please.’ Dr. Brenner responds. ‘Huh, What room? Dr. Owens responds. Dr. Brenner looks over to Dr. Owens. ‘No, no YOU SAID YOU WOULDN’T!’ Dr. Owens shouts. ‘And? What are you going to do about it?’ Dr. Brenner says. 'I simply gave you all of his information so he might be able to assist us in finding Henry. Not to let you turn a normal human back into one of YOUR PETS!’ But Dr. Brenner doesn't seem to care about Owens and simply leaves. ‘WE’RE NOT GOING TO DO THIS! ARE YOU HEARING ME? Dr. Owens yells. Dr. Owens dashes down the hall to the room Will is now in as soon as Dr. Brenner is no longer in view. However, troops draw him down before he can enter the room. ‘What were your plans Doc?’ Says the soldier.

‘So right now I want you to come with me.’ Dr. Brenner says while showing a little key. ‘NO!’ Will yells. Will spits in the face of Dr. Brenner. Brenner furiously wipes the spit away. Will, we have two options for doing this: the easy way or the difficult way. You won't like the difficult decision, I believe. Dr. Brenner says confident. ‘Where are Mike and El?!’ Will says. Dr. Brenner doesn't speak. ‘WHERE ARE THEY!’ Will screams. Dr. Brenner again says nothing. ‘No, no, WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THEM YOU ASSHOLE!’ Dr. Brenner doesn't say anything and merely looks at Will. ‘WHAT DID YOU DO! LET THEM GO, YOU SON OF A BITCH!’ Will yells. Dr. Brenner speaks out at that point.

‘Looks like you made your choice.’ ‘What…?’ Will responds. Now three soldiers enter the room and come over to Will.Dr. Brenner hands over the key he was holding. ‘Do you have the other key as well Sir?’ Asks one of the soldiers. ‘Oh yes of course.’ Dr. Brenner answers. He gives the soldier another key that he takes out of his pocket. ‘There you go.’ He says with a smile on his face. ‘Thank you Sir.’ The soldier answers back. Then one soldier approaches to the beginning of the bed and the other to the end.

‘HEY WHAT ARE YOU DOING!’ Will screams. The soldiers remain silent. They inserted the key into the handcuffs lock. 'They're removing the handcuffs. I have a chance now.' Will thinks. When the cuffs start to budge, Will charges in. He instantly gets out of bed and sprints as rapidly as he can towards the direction of the open door in front of him. This was his chance to leave this terrible place and set El and Mike free. He had no idea where they were, but based on the Dr. Brenner's response to his question, he assumed they were still at this environment. This was his chance to escape whatever this was. Or whatever Dr. Brenner wanted him to go.

However, as soon as he reached for the door, two soldiers forcefully grip him. Holding Will back. ‘NO. NO!’ Will struggles and yells. Dr. Brenner who was standing near the exit looks at Will. His face is painted with a smile. ‘LET ME GO! I’M GONNA KILL YOU!’ Will screams as he uses every muscle in his body to try to break free from the troops. But it's ineffective. Of course it doesn’t work. ‘LET. ME. GO!’ But instead of letting him go, the third soldier that isn’t holding Will, walks up to him. He holds an electric collar in his hands. Before Will has a chance to react, the thing tightens around his neck. ‘WHAT IS THIS!’ Will then screams. The soldier moves away from Will and in the direction of Dr. Brenner. He offers some sort of equipment for control.‘Thank you.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘WHAT IS THIS! LET ME GO!’ Will screams. Dr. Brenner turns to face Will after glancing at the device. After that, he pushes a button.

SHOCK!

Will feels an electric shock run through him. Will yells. The boy tumbles to the floor. Dr. Brenner, however, ignores him. He again pushes the same button. Will screams once more. He lays down curled up. ‘Please, please stop…’ Will pleads. Dr. Brenner then hits the button once more. Will screams in agony. ‘PLEASE..!’ ‘As I said, you wouldn’t like the hard way.’ Dr. Brenner finally says.

"Come on, here is the exit!" Mike screams at El. A couple of soldiers are currently running behind him. ‘I can’t take all of them Mike!’ El shouts back. She has her arm outstretched toward the army of warriors while blood is streaming from her nose. ‘It’s only a few meters away c’mon El!’ Mike responds. A soldier flies across the hallway. ‘C’MON EL WE NEED TO GO!’ Mike says while opening the lift doors. ‘COMING!’ El yells in the background.

Mike sees El scream one more time before the soldiers all launche back. Mike quickly pulls El into the lift and presses the up-button. El then falls down. ‘El, El? Are you alright? Mike replies as he instantly falls to his knees next to El. He cleans away the blood from her nose. El gives him a small nod. ‘You’re okay now. You’re save.’ Mike says.

DING!

"Can you get up?" Asks Mike. ‘Yeah.. yeah.’ El responds. "All we have to do is go up this staircase, and we're there." Mike says as he helps El stand. When they get to the door, they quickly open it. ‘Jesus Mike! Watch out.’ Jonathan says. Then he casts a quick glance El's way. ‘Wow, El are you okay?’ He asks right away. ‘Yeah, I’m okay.’ El responds. Then Jonathan turns to peek behind Mike and El to see if his younger brother is there. ‘Guys? Where’s Will?’ The older asks worried. El and Mike both remain silent. ‘Mike! Where is Will!?’ says Jonathan. "They caught him," Mike responds in a quiet voice. ‘What?’ Jonathan queries. ‘Dr. Brenner and the soldiers….’ El claims. ‘WAIT WHAT!’ Jonathan yells. ‘Will tried to help me.. But before he could do anything the… the soldiers came…’ El claims. ‘AND YOU DIND’T DO ANYTHING!?’ Jonathan yells.

‘Hey bro, why are you so mad.’ Argyle asks, still high. ‘NOT NOW ARYGYLE.’ Jonathan screams at Argyle. ‘Oh, sorry bro.’ Argyle answers. ‘They….they knocked him out by injecting some sort of drugs… And then they dragged him away to somewhere.’ El keeps going. Jonathan immediately steps forward after hearing that, towards the open door to get inside the secret base. El though stops him. ‘Jonathan it’s not save, we will get back, but right now we need to get to Hawkins tonight!’ El asserts strongly.  ‘We’ll never make it! That’s over 2000 miles.’ Jonathan answers. ‘We need to find a way! If we don’t they are going to die.’ El says. ‘Who’s going to die?’ Mike asks. El doesn’t answer. ‘El who’s going to die?!’

‘No..please…!’ Will screams still curled up onto the ground. He is again shocked by Dr. Brenner. Will's mouth is spewing water and slime due to exhaustion. His vision is cloudy. ‘Get him up.’ Dr. Brenner gives orders to the soldiers positioned next to Will. The soldiers drag the youngster out of the room after picking him up off the floor.

Will doesn’t fight it. He's unable. He is to exhausted. So tired. Damn he is so tired. If this is going to be his dead, then so be it. Since the possession, he often considered suicide. And he had tried. He had tried… He always wondered how he would pass away.By use of something from The Upside Down or perhaps even by himself. Alternatively, he might pass away from old age.

He is now in the hallway as the light changes. That is what he was aware of. Additionally, he was taken somewhere that wasn't too pleasant.

The group dashes over to the van. Mike turns to face El after they have both sat down and Jonathan has turned on the engine. "El, please explain it to us." ‘Everybody is going to die if we don’t get there on time. Everybody who lives in Hawkins.’ El says while wearing a troubled expression. ‘How do you know?’ Mike says. ‘Papa…’ El says soft. ‘What?’ Mike answers. ‘Papa…’ El says soft. ‘What?’ Mike responds. ‘Papa showed me what happened. How I opened the gate. How I caused all of this.’ El says looking down. ‘That’s how I got my powers back.’ She adds. ‘What did he precisely showed you?’ Mike asks. ‘Henry, 001…’ El says. ‘001? Is he also part of, that 'happening' back in Hawkins?’ Mike says. El nods. ‘I thought I could thrust him. Rely on him. He was helping me to get out of there. He helped me, so I helped him in return. I removed the chip that had been inserted into his neck to prevent him from using his abilities. But after just a few minutes of leaving him alone, I realized something wasn't right. So I went looking for him. And when I found him….’ El says.

Images of blood, dead children, screaming go flash in front of her.

‘Then what?’ Asks Mike. "He had already murdered every other kid there.  He wanted me to join him. But I refused. Then, everything happened extremely quickly. I sent him to the Upside Down. And I formed the gate…’ El claims. ‘And now.. now he is targeting people again.’ She adds. ‘Will.. he was never targeted by the Mind Flayer…’ Mike says. ‘But through Henry..’ Adds El. ‘So if the Demogorgon was only a foot solider… Henry is their 5-star general…’ Mike says. El nods while wearing a troubled expression.

‘In here.’ Dr. Brenner says. The soldiers drag Will into a room. In the hands of the troops, his limp body hangs. He still has limited vision. He hardly can keep his eyes open at this point. ‘Just put him in the chair.’ Dr. Brenner says to the soldiers. Soldiers raise the youngster and place him in the gray chair. ‘Mhhm.’ Will sighs when he gets put into the chair. But to Will his surprise this chair was comfy, it had a soft padding. Will puts his head back to the headrest of the chair. ‘Do you want us to pick up the stuff, Sir?’ The soldiers asks to Dr. Brenner. ‘No, I will take care of that.’ Dr. Brenner answers. ‘Just do what you need to do now.’ Dr. Brenner adds. ‘Okay, Sir.’ The soldiers answer back. He approaches Will. After that, the soldier wrapped something across his arms. Will was unable to see what it was, but it had a leather belt-like texture to it. The same soldier also bound his upper arms. Dr. Brenner walked back in at that point. He was pulling something resembling a trolley in front of him. Will's sight was slowly returning to life in the meantime. On a crutch, Dr. Brenner sat down next to Will. ‘So Will.’ Dr. Brenner started. ‘I hope you now know what happens when you don’t listen.’ Will didn’t move, he didn’t look at Dr. Brenner cause he didn’t want to.‘Look at me William!’ Dr. Brenner demands. Will remained still.

SHOCK!

Again. Will groans in agony. ‘I said look at me!’ Dr. Brenner repeats. Will hurriedly turned his head in the direction of Dr. Brenner so he wouldn't be shocked again. ‘Good.’ Dr. Brenner said. Will's vision has now largely returned to normal. And when it did, he noticed something on the trolley. A pencil with a little pot of black ink next to it. A pencil, perhaps? He was uncertain. ‘Now I need you to sit very still.’ Dr. Brenner says while looking right in Will’s eyes. The pencil was taken up by Dr. Brenner. A buzzing sound then started to play.

BZZZ

The pencil, which wasn't a pencil, caught Will's rapid attention. It was a tattoo pen. Will directly panicked and quickly backed up. But he couldn’t get far because he was tied up in this chair. ‘Will, I said to you to sit very still. What your doing now will make it only more painful for yourself.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘No.. no.. get away from me with that.’ Will says still trying to free himself. However, Dr. Brenner notices what the youngster is attempting to do and immediately orders soldiers to enter. ‘No.. get away from me.’ Will says as the same soldiers approach him once more. He is grabbed and securely held in place by the soldiers.

Dr. Brenner bows over Will his left hand with the tattoo pen. ‘This will only hurt a little.’ He says. And before Will can say anything else the thing hits his skin and he screams out in pain. ‘NO PLEASE STOP! PLEASE-’ He begs. However, a soldier instantly reaches for Will's mound to silence him. A tear goes down Will’s cheek. It hurts, it hurts.

The buzzing eventually ceases after a few minutes. ‘There we go.’ Dr. Brenner says while laying the pen down. He takes some wipes from the nearby trolley and wipes the area where he was just working. ‘As I said you remind me of someone.’ Dr. Brenner says confident. Will finally after 4 minutes looks down at his wrist. And on it? On it was tattooed:

001B

Chapter Text

!!CHILD ABUSE!!

!!SWEAR WORDS!!

!!HOMOPHOBIC WORDS!!

Will stares down at his wrist in disbelief. 001B? That was confusing. It looked like the tattoo El had but why 001B? Why that number? Why did they tattoo it on him in the first place? El has previously mentioned that there had once also been other numbers. El had to have been 011 if there had been a 010, right? And a 009. And a 001. Then why? These thoughts keep running through his mind. Dr. Brenner also observes it. ‘You know.’ He began. Will turns to face Dr. Brenner. ‘Sometimes I think you know him even better than I do.’ Dr. Brenner says. Will was even more perplexed by this. ‘What..?’ Will says mellow."You will shortly see 001B." Dr. Brenner responds. ‘My name is not… 001B…’ Will responds. ‘My name is… Will.’ Dr. Brenner grinned at Will, but Will was still quite terrified and perplexed. ‘You can forget about that name 001B. I don’t like it.’ Dr Brenner says. He gestures with his hand for the soldiers, who are still in the same room, to approach them.

‘You know, you are contradictory just like your sister, Eleven. Perhaps a little too contradictory.'  Dr. Brenner says. "I want things to go quickly. Because time is money. I hope you comprehend that.'  Adds Dr. Brenner. Will stays silent. He simply gives the person in front of him a stare. ‘Nod if you understand 001B.’ Dr. Brenner says firm.The man is already grabbing for the remote control again. Will nods quickly. He didn't want to endure that suffering once more. ‘Good.’ Dr. Brenner answers.
The man stands up and moves over to the troops who are positioned behind Will. Will makes an attempt to observe what is happening behind him but is unable to. ‘Thank you.’ says Dr. Brenner. Will is still unable to comprehend what is occurring behind him. But at that moment, he heard a noise behind him.

BZZZ

Again that sound. However, this wasn't the same sound as before. No this was something different. That's when the noise reaches his head. What were they doing? That's when he saw a large clump of brown hair fall to the ground. His brown hair.

Will instantly begins to struggle despite Dr. Brenner's warnings. Naturally, the soldiers again grabbed his body to keep him in place when he did. ‘No..no..NO!’ As more hair fragments fall to the ground, he yells. Dr. Brenner was shaving his bowl cut. His beautiful bowl cut. He knew his mom loved the hair style on Will. Will, however, had his doubts sometimes. But his mother loved it. So so did he. And now? They are now shaving it. Will felt like screaming. His cheeks were streaming with tears. Why is he? Has he not gone through enough already?

Hair keeps falling to the ground. Will has tears running down his cheeks. ‘Please..’ The young boy cries. ‘Please…no..’

The buzzing eventually stopped. Will was aware that his gorgeous hair had vanished. T hat his head had been completely shaved, right down to the scalp. ‘I thought we made an agreement 001B.’ Dr. Brenner says. ' That you wouldn't repeat your conflicting behavior. You can't help it though. You will eventually pick it up.'  He continues, a broad grin pasted across his face.

The soldiers begin releasing the restraints that held Will to the chair. He rapidly moves his hands to the top of his head as soon as he regains control of them. And nothing is present. not a bowl cut. There is now only a buzz cut. All of it is gone. More tears start to stream down his face.

‘I’m going to help you 001B. Just a few of the things we must complete in order to assist you.'  Dr. Brenner says. ‘I don’t… want…help..’ Will continues to sob as he speaks. ‘Yes you do.’ Doctor Brenner answers. ‘No.. I.. don’t..’ ‘Yes you do, and I know that.’ says Dr. Brenner. 'Eleven has escaped thanks to you. So we now require a new weapon. And we found one. A even stronger one. Only that weapon needs to learn. Learn a lot. And I will help with that.’ Dr. Brenner says firmly. Will's face is covered in confusion. "Did El get away? Why didn't they return to get me? Will didn't comprehend. Was he right this hole time? Did they really not give a damn about him?'  Will stares forward, lost in thought. Dr. Brenner also notices this. "I presume you were unaware of that." He says. Will shakes his head. "You now know." Dr. Brenner says. "So your assumptions are correct. They don’t give about you. They never did. You would be better off here. We'll look after you.' ‘That’s not true.’ Will lashes out. ' However, it is 001B, it is.'  Dr. Brenner answers.

‘NO! That’s not TRUE! They LOVE ME! I am important to THEM! I’M NOt BETTER OF HERE! I’M NOT A WEAPON! I..’ Will yells, but the sudden shock of electricity running through his body prevents him from finishing. While falling to the ground, Will yells. ‘ I don’t like that attitude 001B. Do you really not learn from your mistakes?'  Will says nothing at all. "That collar is absolutely impractical for the way you act.  So I suppose we take the simplest route.'  Dr. Brenner says. "Take him there." Adds Dr. Brenner. The troops nod. Dr. Brenner crouches next to Will. ‘They aren’t going to drag you there 001B. Get up! Walk yourself!’ Will quickly got up. His body is still being torn apart with pain. He sprang up in a hurry and staggered over to the soldiers. ‘And do not try to run away. Otherwise there will be consequences!’ Dr. Brenner says from behind as Will left the room. Soldiers running behind him.

Will moved slowly because he was still in pain. ‘Pick up your pace boy!’ One of the soldiers screamed. But when Will didn't, the soldier pushed Will's back, forcing him to the ground. Will stumbled and hit the ground hard. ‘What the hell?!’ Will screams. He quickly realized he shouldn't have said it when the soldier kicked Will's side with his foot. Will cries in agony, "Get up!" One of the soldiers scream. Will cautiously stands up but then slumps back down after taking another strong kick to the side. ‘I SAID GET UP!’ Will immediately quickly stood up. He didn't want to take another blow. He didn't want to endure that excruciating anguish once more. He rushed toward the room they wanted him to go as soon as he was able to stand up again.

‘Let’s stop here for some food for the evening.’ Mike says, pointing the closest gas station. ‘Good idea.’ Jonathan responds. Everyone exits the vehicle after Jonathan has parked it. ‘Argyle?’ says Jonathan. ‘Yeah bro?’ Can you fetch us something to eat from the store so we can call the nearby airport to see if we can get El on a flight to Hawkins in the the meantime?'  Jonathan queries. ‘On it my dude.’ Argyle responds. Mike, El, and Jonathan proceed to the phone booth.

‘Please let there be a place left.’ He takes up the phone, tosses in the coin, and begins keying in the right phone number.  El and Mike gaze at each other. They are in trouble if there is no more space on the aircraft. They both understood that.

Will moves as quickly as his body will allow. However, the soldiers eventually stop him. He is forced through the door on his left by the two people. Will almost slips again. But this time he refrains from speaking. ‘Go lay down there.’ The soldier commands while pointing towards an operation bed. It is surrounded by tools. There was a small box on the table the tools were on as well. Locked. Will looks around the space in perplexity. Two doctors in surgical uniforms are present in the room. What where they gonna do to him? Or was this just a tactic to scare him? But when he is pushed forward once more, he realizes he has been staring for too long. ‘GO LAY DOWN THERE! You truly can't listen, Jesus.'  The soldier yells. Will swiftly makes his way to the bed and promptly lies down. As the soldier approaches, he begins to tie him to the bed. Again.

Then one of the medical professionals approaches him and sits on the crutch that is next to the operating table. Will's left wrist is grabbed by the doctor, who stares down at the numbers. 001B. Will is simply lying there, perplexed. The doctor then released his grip on Will's wrist. Then, he puts a smile on his face. ‘001B. Impressive.’ He says amazed. ‘Didn’t know we place letters behind the numbers to.’ The doctor smiles, while looking towards the other doctor.

‘So 001B..’ He begins, but Will quickly interrupts him. ‘My name is not 001B! My name is Will!’ The doctor smiles. ‘You really are stubborn huh?’ H e claims. ‘I get it now why they brought you to me.’ The doctor continues by opening the cabinet under the table that contains tools. Will makes an effort to see what the man is getting out of it, but he is unsuccessful."I see you're curious." Says the man. Will stays silent in response. ‘A curious boy, I like that.’ The man's face is painted with an evil smile. ‘What are you gonna do to me?’ Will says mellow. "I'm going to teach you to stop being so stubborn," The docter says. ‘What…?’ Will opined. ‘You’ll see.’ The doctor says. He pulls a device from the drawer. And Will recognizes it right away. He closes his eyes in anticipation of the shock. However, it doesn't.

CLICK

When Will opens his eyes, he finds the doctor approach and removing the collar. Putting it and the gadget on the closest table. Will start to fight to escape right now. Without it, they couldn't harm him. So if he broke out of these ropes he could outrun them. Will was a very good runner.

Will is laying down is castle byers. Face pale, lips blue from the cold. It was cold. It was so cold. He exerted every effort to stay warm. But it was useless. This place, was so cold. There was only darkness, no light. And let's not overlook all those monsters. They were all scurrying around looking for him, those horrible monsters. And now it was his seventh day in this misery. Nevertheless, he had no idea how much time had elapsed. He had spent the first days at his home. He could hear his mother, screaming his name, to talk to her. In response, Will screamed as loudly as he could. His mother, though, didn't hear him. He was terrified by it. When the house fell silent, he realized that it was night where his mother was. He was aware that four days had gone at the time. H e spent four days attempting to contact his mother. Trying to tell her that he was still alive. Trying to tell her where he was. But he needed to be aware. He had to be sure no monster would stumble upon him. Until it did. He was running as fast as he could. Away from the house, after communicating with his mom through the lights when a monster showed up.

And right now. Right now he is laying down in castle byers. Exhausted. I had not slept for a while. To soothe himself, he began singing his favorite song, "Should I stay, or should I go?" Trying to keep his eyes open and stay awake. Trying to remain alert.

But that’s when he heard it. Footsteps. However, they were not ordinary footsteps. No, those were the footsteps of the creature Will had been avoiding for days. Will rose rapidly. The beast was encircling the fortress. Waiting to attack his prey. And then. The monster struck him. Will jumped to his feet right away and started sprinting. The monster was following him when he turned to look behind him. Will made an effort to run as quickly as he could. But his legs were giving in. That’s when the monster tackled Will down. The only thing Will could see then was black.

The next thing he remembered is the pain in his throat and the face of his mother and the chief of police.

Will could run. Will might be able to escape this hell. He could embrace Jonathan, El, and his mother. He would see Mike again. Mike Wheeler. Will struggles and exerts every effort to release himself. And then it happens. One of the ropes begins to fall. Then more came. But the soldiers also saw this. They quickly walked over to Will and pushed him down. with a solid grip. "NO! NO!" Will yells.‘LET ME GO! LET ME GO!’ Will struggles and struggles. But despite that, the troops continue to tightly grip his body. ‘NOO!’ Will screams. Will simply wanted to leave. Get away from here. Didn’t want to get tortured once again. He has been through enough already. But hell is never done with him. Never.

The soldiers start tying him down once again. And Will yells and screams. One of the soldier is done with him and puts his hand over Will his mouth to stop him from screaming.

When the troops are finished, the person who had been covering Will's mouth with his hand turns Will's head to the side. Away from the doctor. Will's forehead is fastened with yet another rope to prevent him from moving his head. A other doctor sits down at the other crutch. He looks directly into Will his eyes. From behind him, Will can hear something opening. Something tiny. maybe that little box? Will did not know. Before returning his attention to Will, the doctor in front of him grabs something from the other doctor's hands. Something really tiny, made of metal, and covered in wires.  It looked like a chip or something.

‘This thing is going to help you a lot.’ He says, grinning at the Will. ' You're stubborn, but this will make you reconsider.'  The doctor returns the item to the doctor who was seated behind Will. Overhead, a big lamp turns on. Behind Will, the doctor gives the other man a few tools. Will is able to see it. tools for operation. Shit.

'Which type of work are we planning to have him do?'  Type A or Type B? Asks the doctor. ' Brenner advised that if he acted stubbornly once more, type B procedure should be used to teach him a lesson'. The other doctor answers. ‘So you can put the anesthetic injection away.’ ‘Wait what!??’ Will opined. What was going on? Put the anesthetic injection away? Will they perform surgery without injecting anything first?

‘It’s your own fault.’ One of the doctors says. ‘Didn’t Dr. Brenner told you about consequences?’ Will says nothing. Yes, Dr. Brenner had informed him. ‘Than you should’ve seen this coming.’

‘No, no. Like I said…I’ve tried everyone.’ Jonathan says while on the phone. ‘Yeah, TWA, Pan Am, Eastern.’ Mike and El exchange a look. ‘No, it doesn’t have to be a one-way. I’ll take one seat, if you have it.’ Jonathan says firmly. ‘I mean, please there has to be something that you can do! One of our family members is really, really sick and I don’t know if she’s gonna make it through the night.’ He adds. Meanwhile El starts to walk away from the group. ‘Is there any way that you could just…No no no, like I said before I’ve tried them already. Okay, well, is there any way that I could speak to a manager?’ Jonathan asks. In the meantime El has walked up to a big advertisement board and then it hits her. A way to protect Max

‘Damn it!’ Jonathan yells while hanging the phone back in place. ‘Earliest is tomorrow..’ He adds. ‘No. That’s way too late.’ Mike says. ‘I know.’ Jonathan responds. ‘Hey, dudes?’ Argyle says, walking over to the group. ‘Ask ‘em if we can ride in the baggage compartment.’ ‘The baggage compartment?’ Jonathan asks. Argyle nods. Everyone stays silent. Until Mike breaks the silence. ‘We’d suffocate.’ Mike answers. ‘Dogs ride in there all the time, man. They don’t suffocate.’ Argyle responds. ‘Jesus Christ..’ Jonathan says. ‘I have a way.’ Eleven says while walking back towards the group. Everyone turns their head towards the girl. ‘I way to protect Max, from here.’ She says firmly.

Will remains silent. I was aware that he shouldn't try to fight again. He knew the consequences. The doctors are getting ready to perform the procedure. Will noticed it. ‘Okay everything is ready. How about you?'  The doctor behind Will asks. ‘Yes same for me.’ "Okay then."

Will was already getting ready for the suffering this will bring. He waits for the pain to strike while he shuts his eyes. Then it took place. Behind him, the doctor sliced open Will's skin with a little knife. Blood was coming out of it right away. Will yells it in agony. He can feel the doctor removing layers of skin. 'PLEASE STOP! PLEASE.''

It hurt, it hurt so much. The blood loss is already apparent to him. Will begs them to stop repeatedly. ‘PLEASE IT HURTS, PLEASE IT HURTS SO MUCH!’ He screams. His vision begins to develop black blotches as a result of the blood loss. He can feel that that little chip gets put into the open place. Which even hurt more.

After that, they began stitching the skin back together. This caused extra pain. Will sobs, screams, and shouts. He exerted every effort to get them to stop. ‘Done.’ The doctor behind him says. The man covers the wound with a bandage. ‘There we go.’ He says. Will is still screaming in anguish as the soldiers begin to untie him. When Will is totally released from his tie, the soldiers move back from the boy. Will, who is still sobbing, just realized he was freed. He also observes that the soldiers are no longer by his side. He swiftly stood up and moved for the door. A soldier hurriedly moved in front of him so that he could not reach the door as he was doing so. He grabs Will firmly and Will gets angry. Will lashes out. He is boiling over with rage. He hates all of these people. He wants to kill them all for torturing him. Will then extends his arm toward the soldier who was in front of him. And he screams. Away from Will, the soldier launches backwards.

Mike, Jonathan and El are together in he Surfer boys pizza hut. the bath was finally done, after El told them what her plan was to protect Max. El got into the bath, while Mike helped her. And when El was laying down the light started to flicker. Mike thought immediately about Will. Flickering lights, The Upside Down, the Mindflayer. Not good.

Mike was worried about Will. El said he would be alright, but deep down Mike doesn’t believe that. Dr. Brenner was with Will. Dr. Brenner. The one who had tortured El her hole life. Mike was scared that they would do something to Will, to his best friend. Oh god he was scared. Will had already been through enough. Al of those thought fill Mike’s. But he gets broken out of it when El starts to gasp for air. ‘El? El, can you hear me?’ Mike says worried. El doesn’t respond. ‘El, come on. Wake up! Wake up, El!’ Mike yells. ‘She can’t breathe.’ Jonathan says. ‘El, get outta there! God El! Wake up! Wake up!’ Mike screams hopeless. ‘Help me! Help me! He says to the other as he puts his hands into the water to lift El out. ‘On the table. Get her on the table.’ Mike screams. El is meanwhile still choking trying to get some breath into her longs. ‘El, can you hear me? EL! EL! Can you hear me? El! El!’ El coughs and gasps for air. Mike panics. He doesn’t know what to do. His friend wasn’t there to help him, Will wasn’t there. Then Will’s words flood back into his mind.

‘See how you’re leading us here. You’re guiding the whole party, inspiring us. That’s… that’s what you do. And see your coat of arms here? It’s a heart. And I know it’s sort of on the nose, but that’s hat holds this party together. Heart. Because, I mean, without heart, we’d all fall apart. Even El, especially El. El needs you Mike, and she always will.’

El needs Mike right now. El needs him right now. ‘El?’ He says. ‘I don’t know if you can hear this, but…but if you can, I want you to know I’m here, okay? I’m right here. And….’ Mike takes a deep breath. ‘I love you! El do you hear me. I love you! I’m sorry I don’t say it more. I… it’s not because I’m scared of you… I’m not. I’ve never felt that way. Never.’ Mike says.

‘But I am scared that one day you’ll realize you don’t need me anymore. And I thought if I said how I felt, it would make that day…hurt more. But the truth is, El. I don’t know how to live without you. I feel like my life started that day we found you in the woods. You were wearing that yellow Benny’s Burgers T-shirt. And it was so big, it almost swallowed you whole. And I knew right then and there, in that moment, that I love you. And I’ve love you every day since. I love you on your good days. I love you on you bad days. I love you with your powers, without you powers. I love you for exactly who you are! You’re my superhero. And… I can’t lose you. Okay? Do you hear me? I can’t lose you. You can do anything. You can fly. You can move mountains. I believe that. I really do. But right now, you just have to fight. Okay? El do you hear me? You need to fight! FIGHT!’ Mike screams. And then El breathing slowly gets normal again. ‘That’s it El. Fight El! Fight!’

El’s eyes start to twist heavily behind eyelids. And Mike waits, waits for El to come back again. And then finally a got up. Eyes open. Mike immediately hugs El. And El hugs him back. ‘Are you okay?’ Mike asks. Holding El her cheeks. ‘I’m okay.’ El says. ‘Did you mean it?’ El asks. Mike stays silent for a few seconds. ‘Yes, yes of course.’

‘Come, let’s sit you down to rest.’ Jonathan says

When Will arrived at the door, he reached for the doorknob and extended his arm. At that point, something heavy strikes his back.

CLANG

Will is knocked to the floor. His back was in excruciating discomfort. To see what had hit him, he turned around. but not until he-

CLANG

Another hit. And Will now knew precisely what had struck him. This emotion had come over him more than once or twice. He has been hit by someone’s belt.

‘Open the goddamn door you fag!’ Lonnie shouts. A 6 year old Will, is sitting in the corner of the bathroom. Head between his knees, door locked. ‘Open the door!’ Lonnie screams again. ‘You faggot! Drawing yourself like knights with that Wheeler! I didn’t raise a queer!’ ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry..’ Will cries out. "I don't give a fuck if you're sorry! You need to fucking grow up! Now open this fucking door!’ Lonnie shouts. Will didn’t open it, scared for what may happen. His mother and Jonathan aren't at home. Lonnie could do anything to him.

BAM!

BAM!

Will turns his head to face the door. The door then flung open. Standing in the doorway was a furious Lonnie Byers. Will looked in terror at his dad. ‘Get here, queer!’ He screamed. Will remained still. ‘LISTEN TO ME BOY!’ Will then stood up fast. For his father, though, not quickly enough. Lonnie pulled Will by his hair and dragged the young boy to the living room. Will was pushed into a wall by Lonnie.‘You faggot!’ He screamed. ‘You aren’t a child of mine!’ Will is struck hard in the face by Lonnie. Will wails in pain. "Hit me back then, huh? Man up! Hit me!' Lonnie yells. Will shakes his head. ‘No? Jesus fucking Christ. Go to the couch!’ ‘What…?’ Will opined. ‘GO TO THE COUCH! Don’t let me repeat myself!’ Will quickly approaches the couch. ‘Shirt out!’ His father commands.

‘But..I..don’t want to..’   ‘Than you shouldn’t be such a queer! Own fault, I’m trying to fix you. So shirt out, NOW!’ Will did as he was tolled. In the meantime, Lonnie was taking his belt off of his jeans. Will was aware of what would occur. ‘Dad.. please..no..’ ‘Turn around.’ Lonnie says. ‘Please.. dad..’ ‘TURN AROUND!’ Will turned around, eyes closed waiting for the impact to come.

Will stood up but was struck again. And once more and again. His gray sweatshirt has blood dripping through the back of it. Will screams. He then feels the electric shock coursing through his body once more. Will moans in agony as he loses the ability to stand up again. He continues to lie on the ground as a result. He is taken from the room by the soldiers, who grab him by the arms. While they carry Will through the hallways, his head hangs down. Eventually, they come to a stop, and one of the guards opens the door in front of them. There is no light in the small room. Will is flung inside the room by the troops. Will turns toward the opening and tries to crawl out, but it's too late. The door is locked and closed by the soldiers. Will is enveloped in darkness. Will hated dark places, that was not something new.

It has been over 3 hours since El fought Henry. They are conversing as they are eating pizza. El has found her energy back. ‘El?’ Asks Mike. ‘Yeah?’ El answers. ‘Are you feeling better?’ Mike says. "Yeah, I believe mostly." El claims. ‘I’m a worried about Will…’ Mike says. El nods ‘Me to.’ ‘Do…do you think you can look for him? Check to see how he is doing.'  Asks Mike. ‘Yes I think I can.’ El answers. Mike rises and moves in the direction of the kitchen. He comes back with the dazzling glasses Inside his hands. ‘Here are the glasses.’ Mike says while giving El the blinding glasses. ‘Thank you, Mike.’ She says giving Mike a little smile. The glasses are put on by El.

She opens her eyes, and there she is. In the void. ‘Will?’ She says. No response. El begins to move. When she notices something gray on the ground, she stops. ‘Will?’ She asks once more. She moves swiftly over to the gray object. However, the closer she gets, the more she begins to question whether this was actually Will. She moves closer before noticing it. This was Will. But not the Will she knows. His hair was shaved, nor bowl cut. ' Will'? El asks once more. She noticed the blood on Will's back at that point. ‘Will!’ El shouts. She swiftly got the youngster to the ground. ‘Will? Hey, Will?’ El utters these words while trembling. ‘Will? What is happening? Hello Will?’ Will stays silent. He is unconscious.The stitches in Will's neck were then seen by El. She now starts to shake Will even harder. ‘Please Will wake up. Wake up, please!!’ Will, though, remains unconscious. ‘I will find you Will, just… just hold on a little bit longer, okay?’ El says.

Chapter Text

!!CHILDABUSE!!

From a bright light, Will awoke. Soldiers were positioned in the doorway. ‘Get up.’ S aid one of them. ‘What…?’ Will opined. He shielded the light from his eyes with his palm. 'Get up!' The soldier repeats himself. ‘It’s time for your first lesson.’ He adds. Will swiftly stood up and followed the armed man when the soldier finished speaking. He was forced into a room that was divided by a glass wall. Will was put onto a chair and seated in the space behind the glass. Will's left hand was cuffed to the metal table in front of him. Will scanned the space. White walls were present. However, that was nothing new. The walls in this empty space were all white. On the other side of the glass, scientists were watching. Watching him.

Dr. Brenner entered at the same time as the soldiers left. He settled onto the chair across from the table. ‘So 001B.’ He began. ‘You’re having your first lesson today. You already heard that from my man. But before we begin this procedure, there are just a few things I wanted to say.'  Dr. Brenner says. Will stares at him. Says no word. Dr. Brenner rose from his chair and approached Will. When he is behind Will, he stops moving. Dr. Brenner then pressed his finger against Will's neck chip. ‘This thing.’ He began. ' It tracks you and will harm you. Don't even try to shout at us because if you do, you'll only hurt yourself. And don't try to hide; we are aware of your location. Every day, every hour, every minute. It is useless to escape. We'll track you down.'   Dr. Brenner says firm. ‘And if you don’t participate in the lessons, we will send you back to the Dark Room.’ Will's eyes grew larger. ' And we are aware that you dislike the dark. That's somehow connected to Upside Down, right?'  Dr. Brenner speaks while grinning. 'Let's simplify things for both of us, then. Nothing happens as you are listening. Simple, right?'  He says. Will could do nothing else but nod. 

‘Good.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘Then we’ll start.’ After turning around, Dr. Brenner grabbed the instrument for measuring brain waves and placed it on Will's head. Will raised his hand to his head to feel what Dr. Brenner had applied, but he was immediately alerted. ‘Don’t touch that 001B!’ Dr. Brenner says. Will swiftly lowers his hand. After that, Dr. Brenner positions a Coke can in front of Will. Will gives Dr. Brenner a confuzed look. ' Crush it.'   He says. ‘What?’ Will answers confused. ' ‘’Crunch the can.’ Says the man. ‘What? I can’t do that.’ Will responds. ‘Yes you can.’ says Dr. Brenner. ‘’No..no I can’t.’ Will says. ‘I’m… not like El. I...don’t have powers. I can’t make things fly or do other things.’

He had countless thoughts racing through his mind. He? Will Byers? Having powers? A s El? That wasn't possible, though. El had superpowers. And he. He was Will Byers. The boy who was nothing but trouble. He wasn’t a hero. He couldn’t make this fly nor break. What did Dr. Brenner thought? ‘Yeah that Byers kid has powers because Eleven is his step-sister? Will did not comprehend.

Dr. Brenner sighs. He then moves toward Will. Will feels Dr. Brenner's hands on his shoulders. ' 001B, you used your powers to harm my man. You did that when you where mad. So I want you to concentrate right now. Think of something that makes you mad. Make up the sight of the can but then crushed.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘But..’ Will says. ‘Concentrate on the can 001B.’

‘Okay…’ Will says quiet. He looks intently at the can. ‘Think of something that makes you mad.’ He had a lot of those items.

‘Man up!’

‘It got me, the Demogorgon’

Zombie Boy

Mistake

Will feels his rage rising within of him. Now his eyes were closed. 'Good 001B,' Dr. Brenner says to the monitor. ‘Keep going.’

‘Stop threating me like that.’  ‘Like what?’  ‘Like how everyone else does, like there is something wrong with me.’

Freak

‘It’s not my fault you don’t like girls!’

‘You’re mad that I didn’t talk to you? Seems like you made it super clear that you’re not interested in anything I have to say.’  ‘That’s just not true.’ ‘You called maybe a couple times. It’s been a year, Mike! Meanwhile El has a book of letters from you.’ ‘That’s because she is my girlfriend Will!’ ‘And us?’ ‘We’re friends! We’re friends!’

The electric shock

His hair

The tattoo

And then

Crunch

The can in front of Will has been crushed when Will opens his eyes. His eyes widen. He had done that. Then he felt a warm sensation coming from his nostrils. He approaches it with his right hand and wipes it off. Then Will saw the blood. ' Well done, 001B.'  Dr. Brenner says. Another can is set in front of Will by him. ‘Practice makes perfect.’

Mike observes El as she lies down in the bathtub. After some while, she finally got up. El's expression is one of worry. ‘What happened?!’ Mike asks. ‘Will….’ She starts to breathe heavily. ‘El, El!’ Mike says. ‘Slow breaths. Breathe slowly. Copy me, okay?’ He says. ' In and out, in and out, in and out.'  El breathing slowly get normal. 'Good El, take deep breathes.'  Mike repeats. El gives him a nod. ' All right, can you explain what happened?'  Mike asks. ‘I..I..Will..’ El fumbles. ‘Will..he…’ She says. ‘What is it? What’s up with Will?’ Mike questions. ‘Will…they…they…’ ‘El calm down.’ Mike says. ‘They…they hurt...Will..’ El says at last. ‘What?! El, what do you mean? Hurt Will?!’ Mike asks extremely worried. "The...bad man..Mike..." Mike eyes widen. ‘The..bad..man hurt Will..’

‘What do you mean by hurt?’ Mike queries tensely. ‘Blood…hair….unconscious..’ El says on the edge of tears. ‘Shit..!’ Mike pondered. Why did they leave him there. Shit! Shit! Shit! They should’ve directly started to look for him after he was taken. If only he had ignored El's advice that Will would be okay and instead went back inside for Will. Will has been through so much, and he is currently undergoing more pain. Again. Mike pondered. He was extremely worried about his best friend. Will his best friend, or perhaps someone much more..?

‘We’ve got to tell Jonathan, Mike.’ El says. ‘Yeah..yeah..’ Mike replied, still lost in his thoughts. El stood up and used a towel to dry herself off. El and Mike then made their way back to the pizza hut's dining area, where Argyle was seated in one of the chairs. There was no sign of Jonathan. ‘Argyle?’ Mike asks. ‘Yeah, bro?’ Argyle answers. ‘Have you seen Jonathan?’ Mike questions. ‘Jonathan? He's outside on the phone with someone.' Argyle responds. ‘Outside?’ Asks El. 'Yes, for some strange reason, the phone inside didn't work.' Argyle responds.'When did a restaurant start having a phone outside?'  Mike asks a query. ' To call someone but outside instead.'  Argyle says. Mike and El are making their way to the front door when Mike utters the words 'Jesus.'   And as Argyle mentioned, Jonathan was outside talking on his phone. Mike and El hastily move over to the older Byers brother. Mike begins, "Jonathan we.." but Jonathan quickly interrupts him. ‘We’ve got to go to Hawkins.’ he claims. ‘Wait what?’ El says. ‘We’ve got to go to Hawkins.’ Repeats Jonathan ' Says whom?'  Mike queries. Jonathan then moves the phone in Mike's direction.

‘Hello?’ Mike says. ‘Mike? Mike, oh my god.'  Nancy says through the phone. ‘You all need to get to Hawkins. NOW!’ says Nancy. El approaches in an effort to hear the conversation. ‘Why, what’s going on?’ ‘Vecna, Henry, One, whatever you want to call him, he got Max.’ Everyone’s eyes widen. "Is El with you there, Mike?" Asks Nancy. ‘Yeah, yeah she is here.’ Mike responds. 'Please hand her the phone.'  She queries. ‘Yeah, of course.’ Mike says. El receives the phone from him.

‘Hey.’ She says. "El, you understand who I'm referring to, right?" ‘Yes, why?’ El answers. ‘His plan.. it worked.. Max.. she’s in a coma.. blind.. and there is this big X gate covering all of Hawkins. Vines growing out of it, people dying.’ El's eyes enlarge. She had failed.‘Nothing has come through yet, but soon something will. Therefore, you guys must come immediately!' Nancy says. ‘But..Will..’ El says but was once more interrupted. ‘No, I don’t care. Move your bums over here, people!' And with that Nancy hangs up the phone. ‘Well shit.’ Mike says.

Will continually crunches more cans. It gets a little bit simpler each time. ‘Practise makes perfect.’ That’s what Dr. Brenner had said to him. But after five of them, he starts to feel a little dizzy. Drained. Like a bad battery. His stomach rumbles with hunger. However, Dr. Brenner ignored it. ‘Now make it fly.’ He says. ‘I..can’t do…it anymore… I’m so…’ Will says. ‘Make. It. Fly!’ Demanded Dr. Brenner. ‘But… I’m so..tired..and.. hungry…’ Will says curling into himself. His right hand covering his stomach. ' The moment you make the can fly, you'll receive your meal. No discussion.’ Dr. Brenner told him. Will exhales a long breath. He then sits back up. F ocusing on the Coke can with his eyes. And as Dr. Brenner had told him, he searches for things that made him mad. Will closes his eyes. Concentrating. breathing gets deeper. Using all the energy he has left in his body. He tries, too. He works so hard. But nothing had changed when he opened his eyes. The can wasn't shifting. not a single centimeter. ’Shit.’ Will pondered. He takes a quick glance at Dr. Brenner. afraid of what is ahead. He hadn't followed Dr. Brenner's instructions. He hadn't followed Dr. Brenner's instructions. He hadn’t listened to him. Dr. Brenner approaches Will's left side and removes the handcuffs. ‘You where doing so well today 001B…’ Dr. Brenner sighs. Was he going to send him to the dark room once again? Or shock him or…?

Once more, troops entered the room and grabbed both of Will's arms. He was raised from the chair. Dragging him out of the room. He had to walk by himself once they were standing in the corridor, though. Soldiers following him. He continued to walk. Up until he realized they had already passed the Dark Rpom. Will lets out a breath of relief. They continued till they came to a door marked 001B and stopped. Will looked up to the number and then back to his tattooed arm. Will his room. To enter, he grabbed the door handle. Relieved that the soldiers hadn’t hurt him, or sent to the dark room. But he was once more overly optimistic.

Will's head crashes into the iron door when the soldier kicks him in the back with his foot. Will stumbles and hits the ground. He was bleeding from the nose. The soldier then struck him once again. Once more, using just his hand. Directly in Will's face. Will shouts in agony. And as a result, electricity begins to circulate throughout his body, intensifying the discomfort. After one hit comes another. They simply don't stop. After some time, which felt like years to Will, they gradually come to an end. Will spits out the slime and blood mixture that has formed in his mouth. ‘DON’T GAG ON THE FLOOR!’ One of the men yells. Will's body is picked up and thrown to the bed that is already in his room. They close the door after that. Will moans in pain. Eventually he falls asleep.

‘We can’t go to Hawkins!’ Mike addresses Jonathan. ‘Did you hear what Nancy said?!’ Jonathan responds. ‘Yes I did, Jonathan!’ Mike screams. ‘Then you know there are people dying right now!’ Jonathan yells back. ‘Yes I KNOW THAT JONATHAN! BUT MAYBE YOUR LITTLE BROTHER IS DYING NOW AS WELL!’ Mike yells in anger.‘What..? What do you mean Will could be dying, Mike? Jonathan says worried. ‘El went looking for him, and she said that there was blood and that the bad people are hurting him! Maybe they'll kill him if we don't act quickly enough, Jonathan!'  Mike yells.

‘I…I don’t think they want to kill Will.’ El says as she moves forward. ‘What?’ Mike answers. ‘Will. I don’t think they want to kill Will. They want something from him. But they definitely don’t want to kill him.’ El says confidant. ‘How do you know?’ Mike says. ‘I.. don’t know. I simply have this feeling.'  El says. ‘That’s why I think we should first get to Hawkins. Over there people are now currently dying. And Will, Will is strong. They don’t want to kill him. So he won’t die. But the people in Hawkins…’

It takes some time before Will awakens from his hunger. He reaches for his belly.

‘Will?’

Will looks upward

‘Will?’

‘Who’s there?’

‘Will?’

‘Hello?’ Will says. ‘Hello? Who’s there?’

Nothing

Was he just hallucinating or? He could swear he just heard something. Will says nothing. However, the voice vanishes suddenly. He re-lays on the bed. He was so hungry. And he was aware that he wouldn't get any food if he didn't make the can float the following time. Will groans.

‘Exercise makes perfect.’

He surveys the space. At that moment, he noticed the two handcuffs on the ground. The ones he was tied up with earlier. If so, it was earlier. Will was unaware. He stood up from the bed and set the handcuffs on the end of his mattress. Will then averts his gaze. attempting to concentrate. It doesn't work the first time he tries. But Will doesn’t give up. He's got to eat. He then tries once more. And this time the handcuffs lifts a little bit of into the air. As he lowers them once more, Will smiles. He did that. However, it wasn't enough. That was something Will was aware of. He needed to lift it up higher to get what he wanted. Food. And so he repeated it. The handcuffs rise a little bit higher with each try. until they are sufficiently high enough to almost touch the ceilling. Will's satisfied with his work.

‘Sir?’ A scientist says. ‘Yes?’ Dr. Brenner answers. "I believe this is something you should see." As he turns the screen to Dr. Brenner, he says. He approaches the monitor to view the video feed from the camera in Will's room. The youngster was sitting on his bed, his eyes closed, and a pair of floating handcuffs were in front of him. Dr. Brenner smiles. ‘Good. He is finally accepting it.’ Dr. Brenner  watches as the pair of handcuffs rises steadily. 'He has at last understood that he belongs here to become much more.'

Once more seated in the vehicle are El, Mike, Jonathan, and Argyle. traveling there by car. ‘Jonathan?’ El says. ‘Yeah?’ He answers. ' Could you please set the radio to static?'  Asks El. ‘Yes of course, why?’ Jonathan replies. ‘Just put it on there.’ El says. ‘Okay then.’ Jonathan says while bending over to the radio, turning on the static. ‘There you go.’ He says. ‘Thank you.’ El answers. El doesn't pick up the dazzling glasses next to her because it is dark outside. She closes her eyes and she thinks of him. Her brother. Will Byers. When she finally opens her eyes, she finds herself standing in The Void. Her sibling, however, is nowhere to be seen.

‘Will!’

Nobody replies.

‘Will!’ She re-attempts

Again, nobody answers.

‘Will!’

She starts frantically circling in search of her brother. He's not here, though. He should be present. El doesn’t get it. He should be here. Why isn’t he here? Could he hear her?

Will waits for the door to open after several hours. He hurriedly sprang up and followed the troops along the corridor. O nce more entering the space divided by a glass wall. This time, though, his hand is not handcuffed when he sits down in the chair. As soon as Dr. Brenner enters, the brain waves reader is placed over his shaved head. A Coke can in his hands. ‘So 001B.’ Dr. Brenner started, placing the can in front of Will. ‘Make the can fly for me.’ He says. Will closes his eyes. Once more concentratin.g He had prepared for this. He therefore carried out the same action as when he was in his room. De can then flies into the air. ‘Good job 001B.’ Dr. Brenner says smiling. Will, though, wasn't done yet. He focuses even more. Thinking about how he crumbled the can with his mind. He visualized it disintegrating once more, but this time in the air. The noise it made. the sensation.

Crunch

Dr. Brenner’s eyes widen as the can mid air crunches into each other. Will then let the can fall back down and opened his eyes, looking directly towards Dr. Brenner, waiting for his approval. "Excellent work, 001B. You are aware of your reward. says Dr. Brenner content. As he stands up, Will wipes the blood from his nose. The soldiers are already entering to move him to a different location. But Dr. Brenner intervenes and stops them. ‘I’ll take the kid.’ He says. 'Come 001B.' Dr. Brenner said as he left the room, with Will following. As they approached a room, they moved along with the two of them along the hallways. Dr. Brenner opened the door and walked inside. Will kept right following him. ' You may take a seat there.'  Dr. Brenner makes a statement while pointing at a table. ‘Okay..’ Will says mellow. Will settles in as Dr. Brenner exits the room.

In the room he’s in there are sort of games he assumes. And the walls are covered in rainbows. That’s what it hit him. The Rainbow Room. El had informed him of it when he was in California. All the numbers gathered in this chamber to play games during downtime.

Will was distracted from his thoughts when a man entered the room. He held a tray with food on it in his hands. It was put in front of Will by him. Will immediately begins examining the type of food he has. O bserving he didn't receive a typical amount. Only a few vegetables and smashed potatoes were included. ‘What is this?’ Will queries the person in front of him. ‘Your food.’ The man responds.‘So little?’ Will says, sounding a little annoyed. ‘Yes.’ Says the man. ‘You think I can live on a few vegetables and smashed potatoes? What the hell!’ Will screams. At that point, his body receives an electric shock. It was all because he yelled. To alleviate the discomfort, he curls up on himself. Will was left alone in the room while the man left. 

Will started picking up the vegetables with his fork and put them in his mouth. All that exercising for only so little food. Will sighs.

Will begins to scan the area more intently. Chess was set up on a table. A section allowed you to play with blocks. Will, though, noticed the art section first. Along with the papers, markers were also spread out on the table. Will sets his fork down and focuses on one of the marks. The red one. Like he did with the can and the handcuffs, it raises into the air. Than turns his head in the direction of the wall. The marker struck the wall hard and broke. Ink splashing out of it. It looked like the wall had blood on it. Will returned to his meal at that point.

Mike is missing Will as he sits in the van. He worries about him. Mike wants to scream that they should turn around the van, head back to NINA to rescue Will, and then return to Hawkins. He wanted his friend back. He had lost Will numerous times, and now it seems as though he has done so once more. If Will were present, he would come sit down next to Mike and reassure him that everything will be alright. Will isn't here right now, so it isn't a possibility. He was very foolish to not send any letters. Shouting at Will at The Roller Rink. He had only thought about El, and not Will.

Dustin’s word flood back into his mind from when he was in a fight with Lucas when looking for Will.

‘He’s just jealous.’ Dustin says. ‘What are you talking about?’ Mike says. ‘Sometimes your total obliviousness just blows my mind… He’s your best friend right?’ Dustin says. ‘Yeah..? I mean… I don’t know..’ Mike responds. ‘What matters is that he is your best friend, and then this girl shows up and starts living in your basement, and all you ever wanna do is pay attention to her.’ Dustin say. ‘That’s not true!’ Mike says defensive. ‘Yes it is!’ Dustin responds. ‘And you know it and he knows it, but no one ever says anything, until you both start punching and yelling at each other!’ 

Will finishes his meal and then curls up inside of himself. He missed Mike. He missed Mike so much. He missed everyone, but especially Mike. He wanted so see him, talk to him.

Then it dawned on him. He could. Will maybe could. The Void. El was capable. He just managed to make something fly. In light of this, why shouldn't he be able to? Will closed his eyes while sitting up straight. Remembering the boy he loved. Mike Wheeler. Will thought about his beautiful hair, Mike’s beautiful eyes, his beautiful lips which he really wanted to kiss. Like boys and girls do. He was aware that would never occur. But he could always fanaticise.

‘What’s he doing.’ Dr. Brenner says moving closer to the computer screen. ‘I don’t know, Sir.’ The scientist next to him says. Brenner then notices it. Eyes closed. Concentrating. Eyes moving behind the boy’s eyelids. ‘He’s trying to find them!’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘Go get him to stop!’ Dr. Brenner says towards the soldiers. They nod and leave the room.

Will makes every effort to reach the Void. He could accomplish it if El could. But sadly, nothing took place. He couldn’t reach the void nor Mike. Will sighs as he opens his eyes. A tear coming out of his eye.

Then the door swung open. soldiers barging through. ‘What do were you doing kid.’ Says one of them. Will tries to run as he gets up from his seat. However, he is unable to do so because the troops grab him. dragging him along the corridors after picking him up off the floor. ‘No..noo..no.’ Will yells in the lowest voice he can make to not activate the chip.

They reach the Dark room again and open the door. Will tries to escape the soldiers' grasp. Like before, they throw Will into the room. But before they can close the door Will got up and moves his head. The soldier who was in charge of locking the door flies backward and strikes the stone wall forcefully. Another soldier attempts to seal the door, but Will tilts his head to the side, causing the soldier's neck to snap and cause him to tumble to the ground. Blood drip from Will’s nose onto his shirt. His eyes widened. Will felt like a weapon. He didn’t know who was in control anymore. Dr. Brenner approaches the lying troops and takes a few moment to observe them before turning to face Will. Tears start to fall down Will’s cheek as he let’s himself fall down to the ground curling up into a ball. Crying. Dr. Brenner entered the room and knelt down in front of Will, placing a hand on his shaved head. ‘Go away!’ Will screamed. ‘Go away!’

Chapter Text

In a hospital bed, Will is laying down. Around him, machines are beeping. His mother is on his right, Mike is to his left. A man sat next to his mother. He didn’t know who he was. He didn’t remember. His mind wasn’t his own. It was shared with the shadow inside of him. ystematically erasing every memory that belonged to him. Will was no longer in charge. No, not of his voice. not his breathing, though. Certainly not of his own body. He was coerced into lying down and remaining silent. I was only gazing at the wall up front. But he didn’t see the wall in front of him. Flashes of the tunnels. That’s what Will saw. Flashes of Him.

‘What the hell is taking so long?’ Joyce says. Knee bouncing up and down. She lets out a sigh. ‘Hey… doctors take forever, always. Just try and relax. Just be patient.’ Bob responds. There is a moment of silence. ‘You know, I just..’ Joyce says. She gets up from the chair and walks towards the door. Towards the soldiers who are guarding the hallway. ‘Let me through.’ She says. The soldiers hold Joyce back. ‘You know we can’t do that ma’am .’ ‘I need to talk to him!’

Will's vision shifts back to the real world as Joyce screams. Will feels Him watching through his eyes. He focuses his attention on the soldier's weapon. The burning. The pain. The hurt.

Revenge

Kill

Tunnels. Plan. Trap

The moments flash before his eyes. And Will was fully aware of what He desired to occur. But he had to stop that from happening.

‘Will?’ Someone states

Bodies. Blood.

‘Will?’ Mike says.

Will snaps out of it. He looks Mike in the eye. His friend. His best friend.

‘What’s wrong? Are you hurting again?’ He queries. ‘I..uh..’ Will struggles to speak, but his mouth immediately locks. Will was unable to speak. He couldn’t control his mouth. It was Him who now took over his body. Him who took over his mouth.‘I saw something.’ Will says. Will tries everything to keep his mouth shut. He cannot allow Him to speak. However, because he no longer has control over his body, he is powerless to change the situation. ‘In your now-memories.’ Asks Mike. Will nods. Or rather said, He nods. ‘The Shadow Monster. I think I know how to stop him.’ Will says.

His gaze flitted all over the table. Searching. He gets up. Will makes every effort to stop it. He moves around the table to the opposite side. Will tries to walk back to resist His power. But it's ineffective. He remains motionless by a specific image. Will is aware of what is about to happen. He reaches for a picture with his arm. ‘No.’ Will ponders. 'Keep your arm to the side and don't do it. You cannot allow it to occur. You have to fight.’ But his arm still moves towards the photo. ‘That’s it.’ He says. ‘That’s what? What… what’s there, Will?’ Dr. Owens asks. ‘No, no, no. Don’t say it. Don’t say it. Please.’ Will ponders. He took over his mouth once again.

‘I think it’s important.’

And with just those four words, the scientist walked away. Preparing.

‘No. No. No..’ Will shouts to himself. ‘Please don’t go it’s a trap. IT’S A TRAP!’ Will screams but no word comes out of his mouth. It’s locked by Him.

Will is returned to his bed by them. Will then detects the blood as the next sensation. The way those creatures were tearing up the human flesh. Everything that is happening down there is felt by him. He feels as another soldier gets taking down. Killing. Murdering. Will was the one who should have stopped this whole situation. He didn't, though. All of those people. Killed by Will.

Three bodies are lying before him. 3 more people who he had killed. He was a murder wasn’t he?  He caused a great number of deaths. Those three soldiers most likely had a wife and perhaps even kids. However, Will had ended their lives. 3 more bodies added to his body count. He really was a murder.

Will shouts and kicks his feet toward Dr. Brenner as he approaches. ‘GO AWAY! GO AWAY!’ Elecricity flowing through his body but Will didn’t care anymore. He no longer gave a damn about the pain in his body. Despite Will's screams, Dr. Brenner doesn't even budge. Tears are rolling down Will’s cheeks and sobs are escaping from his mouth. Will's cheek is covered with tears, which Dr. Brenner wipes away. Will did not need Dr. Brenner's comfort. No. He desired Jonathan, Mike, or his mother. The people who really cared about him and didn’t want him to turn him into a weapon. Though perhaps he was already. Maybe he was already a killing weapon. Hair shaved. Not a name but a number. Killing people…

‘Shh..’ Dr. Brenner says low. ‘Don’t cry. You did very well.’ he claims. Will closes his eyes shut. He didn’t want to be here. Dr. Brenner was someone he didn't want to be around. He didn't want to be around those dead bodies that he had caused.

Will experienced someone picking him up. But still he didn’t dare to open his eyes. He senses himself being carried away from his previous location. Get away from the bloody scene.

He was layed down after sometime on something comfy. Something soft. And it felt nice. It felt warm.

The guy who brought him here may be heard leaving. Closing a door. And Will's eyes were still securely closed. Eventually passing away from reality.

That’s when the nightmare started

Within the Byers residence, Will was seated. Only this wasn’t the normal Byers house. No. This was the Upside Down version of it. Will was attempting to stay warm by curling up inside of himself in the corner of his room. due to the extreme cold. He had never felt this cold before. Never. He yearned for a hot bath or maybe simply a warm embrace from his mother or Jonathan. However, they were absent. Although he could hear them, they weren't in this perverted version of Hawkins. No he was alone in his hell. What had he done to deserve this? Will didn’t know. That's when he heard a screaming noise.

He immediately stands up and spins around to see where the noise is coming from. ‘HELP! NANCY?!’ Somebody yelled. Will noticed this didn’t came from the other side where his mom was. This was here, in The Upside Down. Someone was here too. Just like him.

Will hurriedly raced to the front door and cautiously entered the woods. Knowing those monsters are everywhere. ‘NANCYY!’ Someone yelled once more. Why was this person yelling out the name of Mike's sister?

Will sprinted as quickly as he could to the sound. ‘NANCYY!!’ One more time, the person screamed. Will turned and sprinted in the direction of the now very close sound. It came from a house. a garden, specifically. Will hurriedly walked around any vines as he ascended to the garden. He knew that he shouldn’t touch them because if he did all of the monsters would know.

Finally he was at the house. ‘Hello?’ He says. No response. Will slowly walked towards the empty pool. ‘Hello?’ Will re-asked. However, the screamer remained silent. He gazed down once he reached the pool's side. When he notices it, he hurriedly turns away. Barb. Barbara Holland. Nancy’s friend. Her sides bloody. She was covered in this weird goo just like him. ‘Barb?’ He says low. The older female made no comment and didn't move.

Then, a vine sprang from the pool's floor and advanced swiftly toward Barb. Entering her mouth. Will shouts and runs off. Barb was dead. If he wasn’t careful enough he would end up like her. Dead in an alternate dimension. Vine in his mouth. So he sprints a sprints as hard as he can. Sprinting away from the death

Will jolts up. Breathing heavily. Sweat covering the body. It had been a dream. But not a fake one because this had happened. Everything was true. He tries to steady his breathing. Will thinks about the time when Mike would help him steady his breathing if he had a panic attack or when he came over to spent the night and Will would wake up from another one of his nightmares after just coming back from the Upside Down.

‘Follow my breathing okay? In….and out… In….and out…’ Mike says. 

But it doesn’t work, Mike’s real voice wasn’t here, to help Will. To protect him. 

The door to his room opens and Dr. Brenner walks inside. Taking a seat next to the sitting and hyperventilating Will. ‘001B, take deep breaths.’ He says. ‘In and out. Can you do that for me?’ Dr. Brenner says. Will gives him a quick look. ‘In….and out… In….and out…’ He says gentle. Why was Dr. Brenner gentle to him? Why was he being so nice? As Will listened to the man's voice, his breathing gradually returned to normal. ‘Okay, there we go.’ He says. ‘How are you feeling?’ Dr. Brenner asks. ‘Better.’ Will responds. ‘Good. So we can resume practicing where we left off? He questions.

Will initially intended to refuse. But he didn't really have a choice. If he said no, those people would hurt him again. And then Will would hurt them. The bad man. Just the way he did with all of those other people. And you should say they deserve it because they’re bad people right? They hurt people. But was Will then also a bad person? He had hurt people too. So did he deserved to get killed then as well?

‘So we can go back where we left with practicing?’ Dr. Brenner repeats. ‘Yes.’ He says. Will wouldn’t escape this place anytime soon so he agreed. Because he had no other option, he consented to becoming even more shaped into a weapon.

‘Good, then walk with me.’ Dr. Brenner responds. Will got up from the bed and so did Dr. Brenner. Will was given access to the door by Brenner, and he proceeded to the white hallway. ‘This way.’ He says while pointing to the left. Will keeps up with Dr. Brenner's stride as he starts to move.

Will kept up with him until they came to a stop. The grey door that stood in front of them was unlocked by Dr. Brenner. There was a large room with one chair in the middle. There was some sort of wheel in front of it. It looked like one but this one had light bulbs attached to it. ‘What is this?’ Will queried. ‘Just take a seat in the chair.’ Dr. Brenner responds. Brenner then exits the room.

Will shuffled up to the chair after noticing the large mirror that was positioned on the left side of the wall.

The big mirror, reflecting him. Will Byers. But Will Byers was the happy kid. With the bowl cut. The smart kid. The selfless kid. However, the child in the mirror didn't at all resemble Will Byers. Hair shaved down the scalp. Scars across his face. Underfeed. No smile. Only hurt in his eyes surround by dark circles because of his tiredness. This was 001B. The weapon Dr. Brenner had created. Will Byers had vanished. Removed from earth.

Will seated himself in the chair in front of him swiftly. I didn't want to continue staring at the reflection.

Dr. Brenner walked back inside. The instrument used to measure brain waves is held in one hand and a Coke can in the other. ‘Here catch with your gifts.’ Dr. Brenner says while throwing the Coke can towards Will. Will swiftly fixes his gaze on the can, which then dangled precariously in the air. ‘Good responsiveness 001B!’ says Dr. Brenner. ‘Now place it upright on the ground please.’ He queries. And Will followed instructions. He lowered the can to the ground and carefully set it there. ‘Very well.’ says Dr. Brenner. ‘Now that was just some little recap from the other lesson. We're going to try something a little different now.' He adds. ‘Okay.’ Will answers in a low voice.

Dr. Brenner once more places the brain wave measuring device on his head. He then bows down to the boy who is seated in the chair. ‘So 001B, I want you to listen carefully to me now.’ ‘Okay.’ Will answered once again. ‘This thing before you, I want you to light up the light bulbs. But that’s not the only thing. I want you to spin them around. In a circle. Do you understand? Dr. Brenner says. ‘Yes. Yes I understand.’ Will says. ‘Okay.’ Dr. Brenner responds. ‘There is one more thing I want you to do. I want you to stretch your arm out finding the energy there. It will consume less energy than doing it solely with your mind.' Dr. Brenner says placing both his hands on Will’s head. Will nods. ‘Concentrate 001B.’ He says. Dr. Brenner then walks out of the room leaving Will alone.

"Sir, I believe we are moving along the process far too quickly." A scientist says to Brenner. ‘No we’re not going to fast.’ Dr. Brenner answers. ‘Sir, we didn’t even go this fast with the other subjects. Not even Eleven.’ The scientist answers. ‘He can handle it. He’s powerful, even more than Eleven.’ Dr. Brenner says. ' Do you honestly believe that?'  The man responds. ‘Yes, have you seen what he did to my man? He’s a fast learner, he has more inside of him then we thought he would have.’ says Dr. Brenner. ‘If we just had found him first in The Upside Down we could’ve started even earlier. He could’ve been so powerful. He has so much potential. But Joyce and Hopper found him. But here we are 3 years later.’ Dr. Brenner adds. "And now, watch him doing this."

The youngster was holding out his arm with his eyes closed when the scientist turned to face him.

Will slid his eyes closed. Arm extended towards the direction of the lightbulbs. Co ncentrating on the power in his han.d Visualize the lightbulbs glowing. Then it happened. He didn’t even had to open his eyes for it. He simply knew.

He had to turn them in a circle for the following section. He then visualized them turning around once more. Finding the energy in his palm. Slow at first, but then faster. Faster. Faster.

CLING!

Will slid his eyelids open. The glass of the light bulbs was cracked. Glass was scattered all over the ground. Shit. That was not intended to occur. Where they now going to hurt him?  He didn’t do what Dr. Brenner told him to. He turned his head towards the mirror, knowing that the scientists where watching him from behind there. They saw him. He didn't see them, though. The only thing he could see was the weapon.

The weapon they had made.

Chapter Text

Dr. Brenner enters the space where Will is seated once more. Will removes the brain-tracking device. While still awaiting Brenner's approval, fear can be seen in his eyes. He is trembling while sitting in the wooden chair. Afraid of what is ahead. He let the lights explode which wasn’t what he was supposed to do. Are they going to hurt him? Or not? Will quickly got his answer. ‘Very good, 001B.’ Dr. Brenner says calm. He touches Will's knee with his hand. 'Don't be afraid even if you might not have followed my instructions completely, we won't harm you as a result.' Will let’s out a sigh of relief. They wouldn't harm him once more.‘Actually,’ Dr. Brenner continuous. ‘I’m happy that you did not exactly do what I told you to do. You’ve showed me something that makes me very happy.’ 

Will's expression changes with confusion. Will made him happy? What made him do that? They would hurt him if he disobeyed their orders. And now he didn’t do what he was supposed to and know Dr. Brenner was happy? Will didn’t understand. 

'I can see that you don't exactly get it, but it's irrelevant. For now I think you’ll have earned some free time 001B. What do you think of that?' Dr. Brenner says. Will slowly nods up and down. ‘Good. That sounds...good.' He says quiet. ‘Okay then.’

Dr. Brenner says as he gets up from his kneeled position and walks over to the door. Will follows behind him after getting to his feet as well. There are two troops waiting in the hallway. ‘Take the kid. After an hour of free time, we'll return to training. Dr. Brenner says towards the soldiers. ‘Yes, Sir.’ One of them nods and says. Then, Dr. Brenner leaves. So do the soldiers. Will keeps up with them. He is led back into The Rainbow Room by them. 

Dr. Brenner walks down the hallway. He has left the boy with his soldiers so 001B would be fine. Brenner can hook up with his old friend in the meanwhile.He stops in front of a specific door and opens it with his pass. He immediately closes the door after entering. "How are you, Owens? Have you changed your mind yet?' Dr. Brenner says. In the room is Dr. Owens, cuffed to some metal pole which is standing in the room. His expression is one of rage. ‘No? Nonetheless no chance?' Dr. Brenner says. ‘Why would I help you? Give me a good reason to give you what you want, Martin.’ Owens says. ‘You know the reason.’ Brenner answers. 

"However, why would I tell you about every specific incident that occurred to him in 1984? Just because you want Henry back?’ Dr. Owens shouts.'No, it isn't the main issue. You know what he went through which could be useful in finding Henry but also for other things.’ Brenner responds. 'What other kinds of things? Now Eleven has fled you’re want a new lab kid, don’t you?’ says Owens. ‘No, no that is not true!’ Dr. Brenner responds. ‘The kid already has a trauma the size of Jupiter, I’m not letting him get even more because of you. He is a good kid with a good heart and he deserves the world!’ says Owens. ‘People don’t deserve things, Sam. They need to earn it.’ Dr. Brenner responds.

‘I will not tell you anything about Will, nor anything about what happened in 1984 and the years prior so you cannot turn him into your sick lab rats!’ Owens says, furious for sure. ‘Oh but Sam,’ Dr. Brenner says while walking over. "That process has already started, and it started long ago. And right now he’s giving in. Accepting it.’ Owens mouth falls open. Dr. Brenner only smirks at him. 'It won't be long before 001B reaches his full potential. He picks things up far more quickly than Eleven does. It would take eleven years of training for him to achieve what he has in just a few days.' says Dr. Brenner. 

"001B," says Owens. ‘You even gave him a number! You're sick, you're fucking terribly sick! He shouts. "Yes, I gave him a number, they're similar. 001 and 001B. Both youngsters are very sensitive but are also incredibly intelligent and powerful. So I thought 001B would be fitting.’ Says Brenner simply. 'He is embracing his new identity and name. Acknowledging that the previous Will has passed. And it's only a matter of time before we locate One, given 001B's relationship to Henry and The Upside Down. But I need additional details in order to figure out how to do that. And the only person who has this information about his connection to Henry and The Upside Down is you, Sam. So I’m going to asks you one more time, are you willing to corporate?’
Owen's face has a doubtful expression.‘Are you willing to corporate, Owens?’ Dr. Brenner re-asks. He is currently losing patients. ‘No.’ Owens says. ‘No I won’t.’ He says firm. Brenner's face has a disappointed and irate expression. But it soon transforms into a vile smile. "Okay, OK. So I suppose I'll have to find a different way.' Brenner says. 
Owens looks confused at Brenner. Then Dr. Brenner reaches inside his suit jacket. Then everything happens really quickly. Brenner pulls a black pistol from his jacket. A Makarov, specifically. He pulls the trigger while aiming the rifle at Owens.

BAM!

Owen's body is pierced directly by a sharp silver. Owens swiftly applies pressure to the wound with his hand, trying to hold it closed while his body grows pale. 'I forgot to add that going the other way isn't exactly pleasant.' Dr. Brenner says. He returns the revolver to his suit jacket before making his way back into the corridor. He goes up to a soldier. "Bring together a well-armed squad. Go to Hawkins Lab and Owens house and see if you can find anything about the boy. Use force if his family won't cooperate.' He adds. 'Why don't you just ask the boy all of your questions?' The soldier answers back. 'He cannot be aware of anything we are doing, therefore. He will do anything to escape if he knows.'

The men seal the door behind Will as he enters the room. A meal platter with various items is on one of the tables. ‘Well that’s nice’ Will thought. He settles down and begins to eat. 
He is receiving better treatment now that he has embraced his fate, acknowledged that the old Will is no longer here and that he is now a weapon. They're no longer kicking or striking him. He even got food right now. He made a mistake during his "training," but Dr. Brenner wasn't even angry with him; rather, he was delighted. Perhaps as a result of Dr. Brenner noticing that he had given up and accepted his new destiny.Another possibility is that he was relieved Will had destroyed the light since it indicated that his training is working and his abilities are growing. Will didn’t know.
Will is eating as he thinks in the meantime. Maybe.. Maybe if he had giving in earlier he didn’t had to go through all that punishing. But we have to stay with the facts, he didn’t do that. He now regrets continuing to believe that there was a chance for him to escape. Continue to struggle against the soldiers. However, he was now aware that he was unable to escape on his own. Maybe with the help of El and Mike, but Will was doubting if they were still here.

He hadn't noticed them in the hallways or heard them. They must have escaped when Will was taken prisoner by Dr. Brenner since the troops were too preoccupied with him. He questioned their current location. They would return if they were able to leave while knowing he was still here. They would return to get him.

Right?

It has been two days since they left from the underground lab in Nevada. They managed to escape after locating El, but there was a problem. They got away without Will. Will Byers was still stranded in that lab, 2000 miles away, with Dr. Brenner. 
The pizza van eventually arrives in Hawkins, Indiana, after a tiresome two-day journey.

They are the only ones passing the Welcome to Hawkins sign. Cars are leaving Hawkins in huge numbers. They're all completely packed, like if they were taking a road trip or something. When Mike notices a large smoke cloud hanging over Hawkins, he understands why everyone is leaving. El receives his glance but doesn't return it. She casts a dejected gaze out the window. Knowing she has lost. Knowing they had lost. 

More people are collecting their belongings and getting ready to go as they approach downtown. There where posters of Eddie with murder on it? What had Eddie to do with this?

They drive further into downtown. They reach the library which is completely destroyed. It’s surrounded by police who set off the demolished building. A red light is burning on the ground in front of the library. A gate. However, this wasn't a little gate. No, it goes a lot further. Well shit.

In front of The Wheelers' home's driveway, Jonathan parks the van. Mike is shocked to see all of his friends gathered on the driveway. They all exit the van together. Then everyone sprinted in the direction of their loved ones. ‘Mom!’ Mike sprints to his mother. El and Jonathan both run over to Dustin. Mike tightly hugs his mother. ‘You are never going on vacation again, you hear me?’ Mike’s mom says.‘In fact, you can forget about college. You are staying right here!’ Mike nods. He then approaches El and Dustin. ‘Hey bud, how you doing?’ Asks Mike. "I'm fine. I went through my ankle, which is hurting a lot, but other than that, I'm fine." Dustin responds. "Good," Mike replies. 
With a perplexed expression on his face, Dustin scans the group as if looking for someone. He then turns to face Mike and El again. 

‘Where’s Will?’

Will looks around the room choosing what he is going to do. There are numerous choices. There are pencils and crayons to draw with, but Will finds that too reminiscent of the 'Will' he no longer is. He therefore decides on something different.

The numbers one through ten are written on a standing board in the corner of the room. Red round pieces of wood are placed next to it. Will approaches the board and takes a seat. He takes one of the components and inserts it into the top opening. It tumbles to the floor into gap number four. Once more picking up the component, he inserts it from the top. He aims for number one. The piece collapses once more, but this time it does so at position seven rather than one. Will let’s out a sigh. He takes it up once more. However, he takes a seat again and thinks before inserting it from the top.

He could be able to insert the piece into the number one slot if he uses his abilities. The piece is then reinserted into the game. However, this time he doesn’t wait for it to fall into some random gab. He focuses on the piece as it falls to the ground. Trying to move it to the left with his mind. The piece falls down in gab number one. A smile forms on Will’s face. He extends his right hand to take the small piece. His grey sweatshirt is the first thing his eyes land on. For days, he has been wearing the same outfit. At least that is what he thinks. Will didn’t know how long he’d been here.

On the back of his shirt is still dried blood from the punishments. His tattoo on his left arm then catches his attention. 001B. Then his eyes drift off to the big number one on the game. Eyes are flitting between the two numbers. 

BAM!

Will abruptly awakens from his trance and leaps to his feet. What was that sound? It sounded like a gunshot, didn't it? Will approaches the door and presses his ear against the surface. ‘Plans have changed, Owens has been killed because he didn’t want co corporate and Brenner wants us to regroup to search for anything we can find about the boy.’ Will gasps. Owens had been here al this time and now he was dead. 

‘Where is Dr Owens. I WANT TO TALK TO HIM, NOT YOU! Will demands. ‘I guess that will be a problem..’ Dr. Brenner responds. ‘What…?’ Will says low. ‘Dr Owens didn’t agree with me, and because he didn’t I had to take consequences. That’s what happens when you don’t listen to me.’

The walkie talkie continuous. ‘Brenner will come your way right now to take the kid. Over’
 ‘Okay, copy that.’ The soldier answers back. 

Will stumbles back to a seat at the game after leaving the door. Dr. Brenner was on the way. Owens was dead. They are going to search for anything they can find about the boy? Was the boy him or?  Owens has been killed because he didn’t want corporate, with what didn’t Dr. Owens want to corporate? Did he have anything to do with this?
Will can’t overthink further when he hears voices. ‘Hello Sir.’ ‘Hello both of you, so as you may have heard plans have changed.’ says Dr. Brenner. "I'll take the child, and you two should head to the regroup place. Understand?' He adds. "Yes, Sir, but what if the boy tries to escape once more? Then none of us are here.’ One of the soldiers says. ‘He won’t try to escape again. He won’t.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘Okay, then we shall go.’ 

Dr. Brenner enters as the door swings open. ‘Come with me 001B.’ He says. ‘But..’ Will answers as he stands up. ‘I know that your one hour free time isn’t over yet but that doesn’t matter.’ Will catches a glimpse of the open door and notices that the two soldiers on duty have left. He then turns to face Dr. Brenner again. ‘Okay..’ Will says. 

They enter the hallway when Will tries to find the courage to asks the man next to him a question. ‘May…may I ask…something?’ Will queries anxiously. ‘Yes of course 001B. What is on your mind? When Will opens his mouth, he takes a deep breath. ‘Why…why did..you..kill..Dr. Owens.. has..has it to do something with… with me? Did..did I do something..wrong..? Am..I..’the boy’…from..from which information..must..be-‘ ‘Shut up.’ says Dr. Brenner. He suddenly stands motionless and stops moving. ‘But..you said I could.. I could asks a…a..-‘ Will stutters. ‘Shut up!’ Dr. Brenner yells at him. Will flinches back. ‘It’s none of your concerns. So. Shut. The. Fuck. Up!’ 
Will takes a few steps. A tear is erupting from his left eye. Brenner looks up at him. 'Don't cry. Crying is for babies and you are NOT a baby 001B!’ Brenner yells. ‘I..I’m..sorry.’ Will mumbles. ‘Yes you should be sorry. You don’t asks such questions.’ This time, Brenner yells in a somewhat softer tone. Will wipes his tears away. ‘Yes.. yes.. I know..I’m..sorry.’
‘Done with the crying?’ Asks Dr. Brenner. ‘Yes..yes..Sir..’ Will responds quietly. ‘Good, then let’s continue.’

They walk for the umpteenth time through the hallways. Will is still high up in his emotion, but he tries to hide it from Brenner. They walk into the same space where Will had to throw the Coke can and crush it. There isn't a can in sight at the moment. A cage with a cat inside is on the table.It is a lovely shade of brown. The cat has white paws which look like socks. Will approaches the chair and sits down. This time, a scientist puts on the brain monitoring gadget instead of a soldier. Will was confident that even though Dr. Brenner hadn't responded to his questions, the majority of the soldiers must have traveled to the location he instructed them to do so.
He observes as the cat fixes her large eyes on him. Eyes full of confusion, so are Will’s. ‘Kill it.’ Dr. Brenner says. Will raises his gaze from the cat and turns to face Brenner, who is now across the room from where he is seated behind a mirror. ‘What?’ Will questions. Brenner repeats, "Kill the cat," over the intercom. A nervous look forms on Will’s face

‘William, come here!’ Lonnie yells from the living room. A little 6 year old Will steps out of his room and slowly walks towards the living room. ‘What’s going on dad?’ Will asks. Lonnie throws Will’s jacket at the young boy. ‘Put that on, we’re going out the house.’ Lonnie says as he walks towards the backdoor. ‘For what?’ Will asks. ‘Hunting.’ Lonnie simply responds. ‘But I don’t wanna do that, dad.’ Will says. ‘It’ll man you up. You’re brother cried for a week last fall when I went hunting with him for his birthday, I don’t expects the same reaction from you. Understand?’ Lonnie says. ‘Yes..yes dad.’ Will responds as he puts on his jacket to stay warm in February's chill.

His mom and Jonathan aren’t home so right now there isn’t any escape from his cruel dad. 
Lonnie walks over to the shed and grabs some things out of it. He stuffs a pack of bullets into his own jacket and hands a pack to Will. ‘Put this in you jacket.’ Will receives the pack of bullets and does what he has been told. Lonnie then tosses him a revolver. ‘Keep the safety on, so you don’t hurt me or yourself.’

They stroll in the woodland as they wait for an animal to pass by. After some while, a cat eventually passes by. Lonnie exclaims, "There!" as he gestures at the animal. ‘Shoot it!’ He says. ‘But dad. Maybe he is from someone.’ ‘No it isn’t don’t be a pussy. Don't make up lies either to avoid having to shoot it.' ‘But…’

‘SHOOT IT WILLIAM!’

‘Dad…’ 

‘SHOOT IT!’

‘KILL IT 001B!’ 

‘KILL IT!’ 

Will is hyperventilating, in and out, in and out. Eyes concentrated on the cat while tears are streaming out of it. His feelings are all bottled up. He can’t do, he can’t. His breathing becomes even faster and his hole face is covered in tears. As more tears flow, the lights start to flicker.Will feels as if he is no longer able to breathe. That his longs aren’t functioning. It's all too much.

 
Will let’s out a scream. A loud terrified scream, from all his bottled up emotions.

There is a loud chattering sound as the lights go out. He witnesses flying glass all around him. When he opens his eyes, he sees that Brenner and him are separated by shattered glass. He saw a dead cat in front of him. Yet not simply dead. The cat’s bones are broken in places where it shouldn’t be possible. 

Will notices that his nose is oozing a warm liquid. He reaches for it, but as he does so, he drops to the ground from his chair.

Then everything went pitch-black.

Chapter Text

Will slowly opens his eyes, but all he sees is the darkness. His body is submerged in a pool of water, face down. With the aid of his knees and arms, he raises his body from the lying down posture. Will looks around the room when he is finally able to sit up. All of his surroundings, with the exception of one thing, are completely dark. He can see his body clearly, as if it were under a spotlight or something similar. And with all of that knowledge, he is now certain of his location.

The Void.

He accomplished it. To get to the void. But how Will thinks. Will tries to recall what occurred just before he arrived.

Blood

Broken bones

Broken glass

Tears

Screaming

The cat

As the scenes flash before Will's eyes, he holds his breath. His heartbeat quickens. He feels a familiar cold shiver running down his spine.

‘Sensitive’

Will hears someone whisper something and looks up. Will finds the voice odd and unfamiliar, yet familiar. Like an old friend he hasn't spoken to in a long time. The odd feeling in the back of his neck intensifies.

‘Sensitive’

Will looks around swiftly in search of the voice. ‘Hello? Who..who’s there?’

No response.

Will tries once more. ‘Hello? Who are you! Show yourself!’ Will yells as he anxiously scans the area for any signs that the men who are speaking may be nearby. It’s like the voice is everywhere. Behind him next to him, from above even like he is below Will.

‘Sensitive, too sensitive.’

‘What?’ Will says.

‘You’re sensitive, just like me.’ Says the voice.

‘Show yourself!’ Will yells with fear. He has no idea what to do, what this odd man wants from him, or where this mysterious man is in the first place. He then feels a tap on his right shoulder.

‘Behind you William,’

Will quickly jerks back in shock as he turns around. Before him is a man, fully dressed in white.

‘Or should I say little brother?’ The man says with a false smile on his face.

Right now, Will is in utter fear. ‘What..what do you mean by that..Who are you?’ Will inquires anxiously as he carefully moves away from the stranger.

"You already know the answers to that question,"

Will doesn’t like this, he doesn’t like this at all. He needs to leave immediately. He suddenly turns around and runs away from the man. He runs until he feels an invisible force pull him back. It tugs on him stopping his body from moving.

‘It’s not your time to leave yet.’

Will hears footsteps coming up behind him and closes his eyes while inhaling deeply. He senses the invisible force twisting him around to face the figure now in front of him as the footsteps become closer.

‘Look at me, William.’

Will shakes his head, refusing to look.

Then, he feels a solid, icy hand grab his chin.

‘I said look at me, William!’

Will opens his eyes slowly. His breaths are rapid as he stares into the man's piercing blue eyes.

‘What.. what do you want from me..?’ Will asks low.

‘You.’

‘Wha-?’

The man pulls his hand away from Will's chin and then grabs for his sleeve. Will follows with his eyes the movement of the man. Then he reveals three numerals by pulling up the sleeve.

001

Will's eyes enlarge. Then he turns to face One once more.

‘We need you William, come back,’

The man his body shifts into a monstrous form. Vines covering his hole body, hands with claws. Will's mouth now opens as well. In an effort to escape this monster, he makes an effort to break free from the force that One is applying to him.

‘Come back home.’

'NO! NOO!' Will yells while still attempting to escape this nightmare. This man. This creature. Another monster from The Upside Down trying to get to him once again. Will he ever get a break?

One then extends a hand toward Will's chest. Will can only yell at this point. He attempts to hit the sharp hand away from his chest, but it is unsuccessful. One gives him a push into his chest and Will falls backwards. He does not, however, touch the earth.

Will only

Falls

Falls

Falls

Falls

Into the depths of the void.

'What in the world were you guys thinking?!' Nancy screams. Everyone is gathered in Hopper's old cabin. or alternatively, its ruins.

"You believed leaving Will behind was a wise decision! What in the world is wrong with you all?' Dustin adds. "You said we had to get to Hawkins right away!" Jonathan yells back. ‘So we did, you said it was an emergency!’ He adds. 'Yes, I may have said that, but I had anticipated Will to be with you rather than having been left with that crazy Brenner!' says Nancy. ‘What should we have done then?!’ Jonathan yells. ‘NOT LEAVE HIM BEHIND IN THE FIRST PLACE JONATHAN! He is your little brother, Jesus! What gave you the thought that doing so was a good idea?' Nancy snarls back. 'El assured me he would be alright. From the corner of the room.' Mike says. ‘With that psycho?!’ Dustin shouts. ‘I really thought that he was going to be fine..’ El spoke softly. "Wait El, you're telling me that the isn't doing okay?!" Nervous, Steve queries. El glances at the ground below. ‘Oh no. No.NO NO. This is really bad. This is really, really bad.’ Dustin says while pacing down the cabin.

Mike is leaning against a wooden wall in the living room's corner. He knew this was going to happen. He was so foolish to follow the others' lead after listening to them. Brenner was abusing Will, and he was aware of it without any confirmation. Will had gone through a lot, and Brenner could shatter him in no time with all of that. Will would finally give in in to Brenner's evil intentions with regard to him. God he was so stupid for not going back, to listing to El. Will undoubtedly wished that they would quickly show there and rescue him from that hellish situation. But it has now almost exactly been three days. Likewise, Dustin said. This was bad. This was extremely bad.

‘What do you mean by hurt?’ Mike asks anxious. ‘Blood…hair….unconscious..’ El says on the edge of tears.

Mike was a bad friend. Will already endures enough trauma, and now he is experiencing more thanks to him. Mike wishes all the time that he could just take all the other boys trauma so Will could finally live a normal life. With all of Will's tragedy, Mike would be shocked if the youngster would pass his thirties. They needed to get back to him. Back to the lab in Nevada. They need to go back to Will.

‘We need to go back.’ Mike says stopping the yelling and screaming coming from the group. Everyone looks at the boy. 'Before Brenner completely destroys him and is able to do the evil things he desires with Will, we must go back.' Mike adds. ‘What kind of sick things?’ Nancy worriesly asks. Mike casts a quiet downward gaze. ‘Mike?’ Nervous, says Nancy.

"I.. I'm not sure what, but-" Mike says but El cuts him of. "Mike," she begins. Mike turns to face El. ‘We do know..’ El says soft. Mike's expression darkens with confusion. ‘No..El we don’t.’ He says. ‘Yes we do, Mike.’ El claims. ‘What..?’ Mike responds. ‘You..you remember Will’s…Will’s…outburst..?’ Mike eyes widen. ‘Wait what? What are we talking about?’ Dustin asks. "Will he.. when.." El begins. "When Will and Mike came to save me, Will.. got kind of aggressive because they wouldn't let me... go.."

‘LET EL GO!’ Will yells once more. ‘I guess you don’t understand Will. I’m helping Eleven. Making her better again.’ Dr. Brenner says. ‘No, No YOUR NOT! SHE NEVER WANTED TO BE BACK HERE! SO NOW I’M GOING TO ASKS YOU THIS ONE MORE TIME. LET. MY. SISTER. GO!’

‘And then what?’ Asks Nancy. 'Then, Papa began to threaten him by saying all kinds of things. They still wouldn't let me leave, so Will pulled out a pistol and started shooting.' El says

Everyone in the group looks up. ‘Will wouldn’t do that.’ states Dustin. "Please just let me finish." El answers. 'He fired, and after that, the troops began to grab him.'

But before Will can do anything the soldiers grab him firmly. ‘NO, NO!’ Will shouts. ‘LET ME GO! LET. ME GO!!’ El sprints in Mike's direction. ‘LET ME GO YOU BASTERD!’ Will yells. ‘LET ME GO!’ But the soldiers don’t listen. ‘Will, calm down!’ says Dr. Owens. ' You're currently only making things worse.'

‘And then he screamed, one loud scream.’ El keeps going.

‘LET ME GO!’ ‘LET. ME. GO!!’ And with that final shout the soldiers get launched away from Will and the glass from the NINA project breaks. Will falls down his knees. He has blood coming out of his ears and nose. ‘Let..me..go..’ Will says soft.

‘The soldiers.. they got..launched away.. and..there was blood..,’ El says while looking up to meet her eyes with the group. ‘There was blood coming form his nose..’ El says. For a little while, everyone is silent. Everyone's eyes expanded.

‘Well shit.’ Dustin says. ‘So yeah..Mike we do know what Papa wants from Will.’ El says as he turns to face Mike.

Mike merely remained stunned. He was at a loss for words and actions. Will has abilities. Like El. Will is receiving the same treatment from Dr. Brenner as El has had. Will was being turned into a weapon, and the process had already started. Mike wasn't there to support him, assist him, or make him feel safe. Since they didn't arrive to save him, Will must have given in even more quickly. Mike stomach turned at the idea. It couldn’t be, it just couldn’t.

Mike's ideas were disrupted by Nancy. "We have to leave." She says while walking out of the house. ‘Where are you going!’ Says Steve. Nancy looks around after grabbing her automobile keys from the small table. ‘We’re going to the lab, to Will.’

When Dr. Brenner opens his eyes, the room is covered in broken glass. Then his gaze briefly shifts to Will. The boy is unconscious and lying on the ground. Although his eyes are closed, his eyelids are moving quite quickly. Face expression neutral. ‘What’s happening with the boy?’ Dr. Brenner asks nervously to a scientist who’s standing next to him. 'I.. I'm not sure.' The scientist stutters. Dr. Brenner exits the viewing area and enters the space where Will is laying. Will starts to speak as he gets closer.

‘Hello? Who..who’s there?’ Will continues to be on the ground, his eyes still closed.

Brenner turns to face the scientist who followed him and stares back. ‘Do you think-’ He starts, but is interrupted.

‘What?’ Will says.

Brenner's gaze returns to the youngster.

‘Show yourself!’ Will screams frantically.

‘What..what do you mean by that..Who are you?’

Brenner's eyes enlarge as Will continues.

‘What.. what do you want from me..?’ Will mumbles. His upper lip is now shaking, and his face is showing signs of anxiety. Brenner turns back to the scientist behind him.

‘Henry.’ Dr. Brenner says. The brain measuring device in the corner of the room picks up speed. Bleeping at an unusually fast rate.

‘Wha-?’ Will says.

‘Henry’s inside his mind, he’s communicating with him.’ Dr. Brenner says to to scientist. ‘But, if Henry is he shouldn’t be able to talk right?’ The scientist asks. ‘No he shouldn’t be able to.’ Dr. Brenner answers. ‘Extraordinary.’ Brenner says low. However he gets snapped out of his thoughts when Will starts to scream.

'NO! NOO!' The body of Will is writhing on the ground. It appears that he is attempting to fight something that does not exist. Then his hole body falls still.

‘What happened?’ The scientist behind Brenner asks. Dr. Brenner doesn't speak. He turns to face the boy who is lying on the ground in front of him. Then he crouches down next to Will. Observing. Several minutes go by.

Will then opened his eyes and began to breathe heavily. widening in fear and perplexity.

Will only

Falls

Falls

Falls

And falls

It feels like he has been falling for hours now. He is surrounded by darkness. He screams for help, at least he tries but there is no sound coming out of his mouth. He eventually gives up. He closes his eyes and lets his body fall still. And he 

Falls

Falls

And falls

Until he hit the ground. All his air gets pushed out of his lungs and he can’t breath. He opens his eyes rapidly, but the strong lightning from within the room instantly blinds him. With fear and confusion, he scans the room with his eyes. He can't hear anything since his ears are ringing. He is returned to the scene before to the void.

Blood

Broken bones

Broken glass

Tears Screaming

Will uses his arms to push himself upward. He feels something or someone touch his shoulders as he sits up. His eyes briefly flit to the man who is now in front of him. Will's vision is still fuzzy, so he can't tell who is in front of him. In an effort to concentrate on the individual in front of him, Will blinks. He is speaking to Will, but Will is unable to hear him. The hand that had been on his right shoulder now moves up to his chin as he feels it. He hears a faint voice.

‘001B..you…me?’

Will nudges his head away from the warm hand which is gripping his chin. Once more, the voice speaks, and this time Will pays attention to what it is saying.

‘001B can you hear me?’

‘Hmm..’ Will says softly while slowly nodding. ‘I need you to get back there.’ Firm, says Dr. Brenner. ‘No..’ Will murmurs, shaking his head. ‘No..’ He feels Brenner grab the back of his neck. "Yes 001B, you must," He commands. ‘No..please..’ Will pleads. He didn't want to return to that place or to that monster, One. He blinks out a tear. ‘Please…I don’t want to go… back there..’ Will sobs.

Brenner gets to his feet and approaches the scientist. 'We'll have to wait till they return with the information we need because this won't work.'

Bright, warm lighting are glowing in the room. A locker with a lock is located in the center of it. The US army commander is positioned in front of it. Jack Sullivan, the colonel. One of his men is given the order to open the locker. When it opens, a man falls out and strikes the ground forcefully on his face. however, not just any dude. It was the one who was shot while opening the door with a soldier inside to defend the Byers family from the US troops. His hands are behind his back, bound. Sullivan squats down next to him.

‘How’d did you sleep, Mr. Wallace?’ Sullivan says. He turns his head to Sullivan as he is wheezing for breath. ‘Have you..reconsidered you position?’ Sullivan asks. The man stays silent. ‘Where’s the girl?’ Wallace breathes shakily. ‘Perhaps you need more time to think.’ Says Sullivan manipulated. He then walks of. The soldiers pick up the man to drag him back into the locker. ‘Let’s go.’ One of them says. ‘No, wait, wait. Please. Wait!’ He screams. Sullivan comes to a halt and then turns around. ‘Please.’ Wallace says. Sullivan walks back up to Wallace. ‘Just don’t kill her, promise me you won’t kill her.’ Wallace begs. Sullivan nods.

‘In my blouse, the pen.’ He says while still struggling for breath. ‘Thanks for your cooperation.’ Sullivan says. He then walks of. The soldiers drop the man and follow after Sullivan. When they go, Sullivan turns to face his troops. ‘Check his blouse, see if he tells the truth.’ He says. ‘Yes, Sir.’ The soldiers reply.

Both troops approach the chair where Mr. Wallace's remaining clothing is spread out. "In the front pocket, here." Says one of them. He takes the pen and looks it over. ‘Nothing is on here, he’s lying.’ He declares. The second soldier's pen is snatched away by the other soldiers. He then unscrews the pen, and as he does so, a piece of paper spills out. ‘Look better before you state something.’ The soldiers says. The little roll of paper is picked up and unfolded by him.

202-968-6161

‘There we go.’ Says the soldier. Then he gives the other person the piece of paper. ‘Bring this to the colonel, he can trace the location with his computer.’ The soldier nods.

He approaches the door marked: Office Colonel Sullivan.

Before opening the door, he knocks on it. ‘Sir, we have found something.’ Holding up the piece of paper, he says. "We can use the computer to find the location."

‘Give me that.’ Sullivan says. The soldier gives the colonel the paper. On the phone that is connected to the computer, he enters in the phone number.

202-968-6161

He chooses the office category. Numerous random numbers appear on the screen. ‘Of course.’ Sullivan says irritated. ‘What is it, Sir?’ Asks the soldier. ‘That psycho Brenner is letting us call a computer. He is making every effort to hide his pet.' Sullivan says. ‘But Sir, it is possible to locate them right?’ He queries. ‘I’ll trace the IP and run it through a geolocation software, that should work.’ Sullivan responds. After some time he presses enter.

Location:

37.2331° N, 115.7901° W

Nevada

Sullivan smiles at the screen. ‘Get everyone together. We're going to get the girl.'

Chapter Text

Underground Lab

Approximately four hours later

At his desk, Brenner is seated in a chair. There are a few screens in front of him that show the lab's hallways and a few specific rooms. Likewise Will's room. On his bed, the youngster is cross-legged and gazing forward. In order to finish Dr. Brenner's plan, they had to first gather additional information, and Will also needed to calm down for the plan to function, so they took him back to his room. ‘Sir?’ Says someone. Brenner looks toward the office door as he twists his head. A scientist of his is standing in the doorway. ‘I have someone on the phone who wants to talk to you.’ he claims. Dr. Brenner rises from his chair and follows the scientist.

They enter a space with a phone sitting on a table. Dr. Brenner takes it and motions for the scientist to go. He brings his phone to his ear and starts to speak. ‘Hello?’ He queries. "Sir, I have good news for you. We found the information that we needed at Owens house. Although his family refused to cooperate, we took care of that.' The man says.

'What do you have?' Brenner asks. ‘Lot’s of tapes from Hawkins Lab. The records with the boy his treatments and everything.’ The man responds. "Great, I don't think we need more than that. Get over here as soon as possible.’

‘Yes, Sir.’

They have re-entered traffic. As fast as they entered Hawkins they are now leaving again. Nancy, Jonathan, El and Mike are seated together in Nancy’s car. They had been traveling for a while and are almost at their first pit stop. ‘This is much better then that old crusty pizza van, right?’ El speaks softly to him. Mike nods modestly. El was attempting to uplift him. Mike wasn't sure why. He was such a terrible friend and boyfriend. He had lost Will for the fourth time now and it was the only thing he could think about.

He looks out of the window and then back to his feet. El follows Mike's eyes to the backpack belonging to Will that was lying on the car's floor. Mike had brought it along so he could return it when they got him back. ‘First pitstop kids.’ From the driver's seat, Nancy says. ‘Here’s some money, go buy some snack or something like that.’ She says as she passes Mike a few bills. They quickly exit the vehicle and walk into the tank station store. El and Mike go silently through the shop's corridors. Mike then break the ice. He halts in his tracks. "El?" He asks. El now comes to a stop and faces Mike. ‘Yeah?’ She says. ‘I..I just wanted to apologize for pushing you in the pizza restaurant a few days ago. I was just so worried about Will and-‘

It has been over 3 hours since El fought Henry. They are conversing as they are eating pizza. El has found her energy back. ‘El?’ Asks Mike. ‘Yeah?’ El answers. ‘Are you feeling better?’ Mike says. "Yeah, I believe mostly." El claims. ‘I’m a worried about Will…’ Mike says. El nods ‘Me to.’ ‘Do…do you think you can look for him? Check to see how he is doing.'  Asks Mike. ‘Yes I think I can.’ El answers.

‘It’s okay Mike, it’s fine don’t worry. I was also concerned. I am still.' Mike exhales a long sigh. ‘I know how much you care about him. He is your best friend and we’re going to find him Mike. We’ll bring him back. Promise.’ El claims. Mike nods. ‘Yeah, yeah, you’re right.’ Mike says not fully convinced. El is aware. 'What happened between you two, exactly?' Asks El. Mike averts his gaze. "Well, Will and I got into a fight, I guess. On the day I first came, at the rink. And throughout the previous six months, I haven't written to him much or called him much, and I've generally been rude to him.' Mike says. 'I have no doubt that you guys will make up for whatever has transpired. Will and you share a unique bond.’ El claims. ‘Unique bond?’ Asks Mike. 'Yes, you and Will share a unique friendship compared to other people. Not at all like that it is odd or something.' El claims.

Did they truly share such a special bond? Despite the fact that it was Will, he didn't feel like he treated him any differently than the other boys. For almost his entire life, Mike has known Will. He handled him in a manner that friends who have known one other their entire lives would have treated one another, right?

Underground Lab

Approximately three hours later

After several hours, the soldiers finally returned to the underground lab with the findings. Brenner and a few other scientists are there in the room when they enter it. They hold boxes filled with various tapes. ‘Just place them on the table please.’ Brenner says. ‘Yes, Sir.’ The soldiers comply with instructions before departing. Brenner advances toward the boxes. He notices the one with the year 1984 on it. He grabs it and cracks it open. only to discover thousands more tapes, each one labeled.

2 July west stairwell 1984

18 August main Hallway first floor 1984

22 January Entrance 1984

3 November Roof top 1984

30 October W.Byers 1984

He takes the tape labelled 30 October W.Byers 1984 and inserts it into the VHS player. ‘Let’s see.’ He says.

The tape begins to play as the screen comes to life. At first, all that is present is a hospital bed in an empty room. Brenner speeds up the tape by two as a result till eventually people arrive. The tape is stopped, and then he clicks it to resume normal speed.

‘Sir Will, how are you? Mom. Pop. Let’s take a look see what’s going on here.’ Dr. Owens says. ‘I see you shaved off a pound since we saw you last. Must be making room for all that Halloween candy.’ Dr. Owens jokes. Will smiles.

Dr. Brenner exhales a long sigh. Why did he assume Owens and his cheerful treatments would be successful? The footage was then again fast-forwarded by Dr. Brenner.

‘All right, tell me what’s going on with you. Tell me about this episode you had.’ Dr. Owens asks. ‘Well, my friends were there and then they just weren’t, and I was back there again.’ Will says. ‘In the Upside Down?’ Will nods. ‘All right, so what happened next?’ Owens asks. ‘I heard this noise, and I went outside and it was worse.’

‘How was it worse?’ Will takes a deep breath. ‘There was this storm.’ He says. ‘Okay, So how did you feel when you saw the storm?’ Owens questions. ‘I felt..frozen.’ He responds. ‘Heart racing?’ Owens asks. ‘Just..frozen.’ ‘Frozen, cold frozen? Fozen to the touch.’ Owens says. ‘No. Like how you feel when you’re scared, and you can’t breathe or talk or do anything.’

‘I felt.. felt like this evil, like it was looking at me.’ Will says. ‘It was evil? Well.. what do you think the evil wanted?’ Owens asks. ‘To kill.’ Will says. ‘To kill you?’

‘Not me. Everyone else.’

The tape is paused by Dr. Brenner. He turns to the scientists. ‘A sound tape, we need a sound tape which he can hear under water.’ Brenner opined. 'Also, make sure you fill the tank with cold water rather than warm.' The scientist nod. ‘Yes, Sir.’ They answer. They all leave the room together. There is one more scientist left. ‘Prepare the boy.’ Brenner says.

Will is seated on his bed with his legs crossed, gazing at the door in front of him. He can only think of him, One. The three numbers on his arm.

001

He raises the sleeve of his sweater to expose his own number.

001B

‘As I said you remind me of someone.’ Dr. Brenner says confident.

He wasn't compared to a monster by Dr. Brenner, right?

‘We need you William, come back,’

What even did that mean? Will did not comprehend. How, in the first place, did this monster even know his name? His actual name. The same ideas are running through his head nonstop. As though he was on a racetrack, driving the same laps continuously.

‘Come back home.’

Will had lost all concept of what home was. Was the lab his home? Was Hawkins his home? Was the house in California his home? Was The Upside Down his home? Will was ignorant. It was all so confusing. 

‘I said look at me, William!’

Those piercing blue eyes, and that chilly hand firmly gripping his chin.

‘Sensitive, too sensitive.’

Will was aware of his oversensitivity. That clarifies the initial cause of his power outburst. He couldn’t control his own emotions, his own self. His feelings became excessively locked up, which resulted in

Broken bones

Broken glass

Tears 

Screaming

Will closes his eyes while inhaling deeply. He was making an effort to regulate his own mind with several ways. Making himself believe he's fine.

In…and..out… In…and..out

Will takes steady breaths in and out. Finally steadying his breath. Then a noise is heard coming from the hallway.

‘Do you think they will find us?’ Says a man. Will advances toward the door. "When the boy is done with his work, we'll be gone in no time," the man said. Brenner will probably take the boy somewhere and we’ll be in the clear.’ A different man replies. ‘Yeah, yeah you’re right.’ ‘Let’s just hand this suit over and then I think we’ve done plenty today.’

The footsteps follow the voices as they draw nearer. Will slowly walks back to his bed and sits down expecting someone to come in. And his expectations are right. From outside, Will can hear the door opening, as a man enters carrying something. It’s a white bathing suit. It is placed on the his bed. ‘Get changed.’ He says. ‘Wha-‘ Will says but the man is already gone.

He takes the suit and gives it a quick glance. One advantage is that he can now finally get rid of the obnoxious sweatpants and sweater he had been wearing. He puts his pants on his bed after taking them off. He does the same with his sweatshirt. He now has a clear view of his upper torso. It is covered in numerous scars, some of which still contain dried blood. Because he hasn't been given any food, he can clearly see his rib cage. Will closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. Then he exhales a breath he wasn't even aware he was holding. He then takes the suit and opens the zipper at the back.

Will steps into it and pulls it over his body. Then he zips it up again from the back. Compared to the loose sweater and pants, it was fairly tight. Will sits back onto his bed waiting for someone to pick him up.

‘Is the boy ready?’ Asks Dr. Brenner. ‘He’s all suited. However, his anxiousness was still very high.' A soldier responds. Brenner makes a tongue click. 'Bring him over here. Let's see what I can do. For this to function, he needs to be able to concentrate.'

Will jumps out of bed when the door opens. There is only one soldier in the entryway. ‘Come.’ The soldier speaks before turning around once more to face the hallway. Will gets to his feet and follows the man. ‘Here we go again.’ Will ponders. They were probably going to another test or experiment room. Will, at least, believed that. They proceed past many doors before stopping at one of them. The soldier then walks of leaving Will alone. Though he wasn't entirely sure why the soldier had left, he decided not to keep thinking about it. He went into the room after opening the door in front of him. One of the two chairs that were in the room was occupied by Dr. Brenner. Will casts a quick peek across to the chair across from Dr. Brenner. ‘Take a seat 001B.’ Dr. Brenner says gentle. Will's expression becomes perplexed. ‘Okay..’ Will then says low. He shuffles slowly to the chair and sits down. He places his hands on his lap.

Will didn’t understand what was happening. Wasn't he meant to do a test or experiment? That’s why he was here right? To be tested and turned into a weapon. What was going on?

Will begins to tense up, and his leg starts to bounce. aversion to the unknown. Will's bouncing leg is stopped by Brenner by placing a palm on top of it. Will fliches from the unexpected touch. ‘It’s okay.’ Brenner says while taking his hand away from Will’s leg. Will glances at Brenner's hand before turning to see him in the eyes. ‘I need you to calm down 001B, otherwise it won’t work.’ Brenner says.

So they're going to experiment on him. Will draws a deep breath. They had no intention of harming him or taking an unexpected action. They only intended to do a test. Over the past few of days, he has done a lot of those. He was going to be fine. He was going to be okay.

In…and..out… In…and..out

‘Good 001B, take a deep breath In…and..out…’ Brenner says. ‘It’s all going to be fine.’ Adds he. 'I am aware of what you saw.' Will had a troubled expression on his face. ‘I’m not going back there again? Am I?’ Will asks worried. Brenner give a small smile and laughs. ‘No, no of course not.’ Will exhales in a sense of relaxation. 'I do have one request for you.' Dr. Brenner says. ‘Okay..’ Will responds.

‘As you may expected we are going to do a test. But not some test. This test is very important. Do you comprehend?' Brenner opined. Will nods. "I assign one assignment to you. I want you to listen to what you hear, think about everything you know and talk, talk with it. Can you do that for me?’ Dr. Brenner questions. Will nods modestly, not fully comprehending what Brenner is trying to say. Dr. Brenner realises. ‘I see that you don’t quite follow, but it will al become clear once we start with the experiment.’ ‘Okay then.’ Will says. ‘Good,’ replies Brenner. Then he stands up from his chair. ‘Come with me.’ He says as he extends his hand to Will. Will takes it.

They wander through the hallways yet another time. Hand clutches in Brenner’s. Dr. Brenner opens a door and they walk in. There are many scientists and soldiers assembled in the room, which is rather large. A large, filthy tub filled with water is in the centre of the space. Cold water. He senses that the scientists and soldiers are all looking at him. It makes Will quite uncomfortable. ‘Don’t worry they are just here to watch.’ Brenner says. Will says nothing. The glass that he couldn't see them through was preferable to him. He couldn't fail this experiment since it was important, and the pressure increased with all of those viewers' intense gazes. ‘Remember, listen carefully. Talk with it.’ Brenner whispers to Will. He released Will's hand after that. Brenner notices that Will is perplexed and unsure of what to do. Brenner gestures in the direction of the stairway leading to the bathtub's top. ‘Good luck.’ He says.

Will circles back and moves towards the stairwell. He climbs the first stairway. It’s cold and it hurts on his bare feet. But he keeps going till he’s at the top. Two scientist are already waiting for him. He comes to a halt. One of the scientists is holding a helmet of some kind and additional wires to track his brain activity. The second man is holding a small case. The man opens the case and removes a pair of what appear to be headphones. Attached to it is a long cord with at the and some sort of box. It almost looks like a cassette player to Will. The scientist inserts both parts into Will's ears. He secures the box object to the back of his suit with a clip. Then the scientist pushes him towards the direction of the tub's opening. Will stumbles towards it. ‘Get in.’ Says the man. Will turns to face the man before returning to the tub. He then advances and puts his foot on the iron standard in the water. The first thing Will notices is that the water is cold. Extremely cold. Will did NOT like that.

Will is now being approached by the scientist who was holding the helmet. He first draped the measurement wires over Will's head. Afterward, he raises the helmet over it. It’s heavy, another thing Will doesn’t like.

The object he is standing on is moving, he senses. Will is being lowered farther into the water. ‘Close it.’ Will hears someone say. When he looks up, he notices that the tub's lid is closed. He then look back forward. The glass has Dr. Brenner in front of it. ‘Concentrate.’ Vaguely Will hears him say.

Will is now completely in the dark as something covers the glass in front of him. The absence of gravity causes him to feel as though he is losing consciousness. He eventually drifts away.

Will is out of the water when he opens his eyes. He is now standing on water-covered terrain. He was back.

Back in The Void.

He then hears a voice.

'You never knew where they where, did you?'

Dr. Brenner

Will tried to process what the hell was going on.

A background sound starts to play. Growls with a faint chirping noise. The sounds of The Upside Down. Will’s eyes widen. He glances around frantically. But all that met his gaze was the darkness.

‘What..what is this..?’ Will opined. He didn’t like this, he didn’t like this at all.

‘You could hear them miles away, their unhuman growls. That scared you right? Their flower heads filled with thousands of sharp teeth. The twisting vines.’

‘Please stop.’ Will pleads.

The growls start to get louder.

‘You remember that sound well, right Will?’

Will, Will Byers, not 001B, not a weapon. The boy who got missing. The boy who got possessed by the shadow monster. The boy who killed hundreds of people, almost even his own friends a family.

He started to see that place again. Like he was having an episode. The vines, the monsters, and the lightning. Like he was back there again. Will feels like he’s being watched. Like the monsters are standing beside him waiting to attack their prey.

Will collapses to the ground and puts his hands over his ears to muffle the noise. He could hear the growls of the monsters. A cold breathy growl and screech echoing through is ears.

‘Please, no! Please!’ Will screams.

The monsters were back, the vines and everything that belonged to The Upside Down. It was coming for him again. Taking him over again. He is shivering on his knees and his whole body feels cold as he searches the area for the monsters hunting him.

Will continued to scream loudly knowing that will only cause to monsters to know where he is. Will was paralyzed by terror and unable to move, exactly as he had been on the field in '84. His eyes begin to well up with tears. It was going to take him back to The Upside Down, just like it did back in ’83. He couldn’t run he couldn’t hide. This was it.

‘Is Hell ever going to be done with you?’ 

Will shakes his head. No, Hell was never done with him. Every single year, it kept coming back to find him. ‘Stop please!’ Will yells. ‘Please..’ He cries out. ‘Stop it!’

The growls intensify over time. Will screams at the top of his longs begging for it to stop. Pleading for this absolute torment to end.

There was suddenly stillness after that.

Will takes his hands off his ears and scans the area anxiously. Seeking out any monster that would try to assault him. But there are no longer any growls. Will continues to look everywhere he can in the area. It's quiet. Too quiet. It’s like the calm before the storm. How could they simply disappear? Or where they even with him in the first place. Did he imagined all of it? It couldn’t be.

Will carefully rises, making an effort to remain as silent as possible. He makes a gradual, backwards-moving attempt to flee. However, he runs into something, or perhaps someone, as he does so. After being touched, Will suddenly stands up and turns around. As he does so he is met with the same horror as a few hours ago.

One

Will stumbles back and falls to the ground through his own feet.

"No, no, no," Will yells while pushing himself away from the monster with his own arms.

‘I’m not going back there again? Am I?’ Will asks worried. Brenner give a small smile and laughs. ‘No, no of course not.’

It was all a lie. Al one stupid lie. He should’ve seen it coming. He should’ve known. It was all a trap.

‘Will.’ One says.

‘No, no, get away from me! Go away!’ Will yells.

‘They’re coming.’ One says.

Will stops moving and looks up to One with a confused look on his face. ‘What?’

‘They’re coming for you.’