𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐑𝐓𝐘-𝐅𝐈𝐕𝐄 - infected

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 𝐈𝐓 𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐍'𝐓 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄𝐃 anyone at all when Scarlet and Eleven had fallen into one another's arms. If anything, they'd all been surprised at the fact that neither of the two had gone blue from just how hard they embraced one another.

 Scarlet almost refused to let her go; she'd only been able to think about her little sister, her father and all of those around her back down in the base... back when the gun was against her head. The people she was there for, living for. She squeezed Eleven tighter, a hand smoothing down her fizzed frock of hair.

 Up close Eleven looked even worse for wear; there were smudges of blood beneath the young girl's button nose; both old and new. Her hair was frizzy and pieces of dirt and blood hung in clumps... then there was her leg. Blood was splattered up her calf, and rips were present in her jeans... What the hell had happened?

 "Are you alright?" Scarlet muttered ever so softly, a hand placed just on the underside of Eleven's jaw. It was a silly question, really, because it was clear that none of them were okay. But Eleven answered with a nod nonetheless.

 "I'm okay," El breathed, a grimace tugging at her relieved smile as she shifted on her feet. She soon took notice of the bumps and bruises on her sister's face... she smoothed a gentle finger over a particularly purple bruise, "Are you?"

 "Always."

 It didn't take long for Steve to take Scarlet's place; he scooped the littlest Hopper up and into his arms, squeezing almost as tightly as Scarlet. He'd murmured to her, telling her that he'd been worried. Scarlet couldn't help the smile that flitted across her lips at the sight.

 Soon enough, it only grew wider as Will Byers barrelled into her. His arms wove around her middle, holding her as close as he could. Scarlet could feel him shaking beneath her fingertips, a harsh shiver wracking his spine... even his face wasn't filled with that familiar Byers warmth; he looked as though he'd just awoken from a nightmare... or, perhaps, as though he was still in one.

 There was something she wanted to ask him, whether little Will had been hearing the same things as she... experiencing the same shivers down the back of her neck. But there wasn't the time, for Max Mayfield soon tugged Will away and slotted herself right in his former place.

 Solace finally settled within Scarlet's gut. It pushed out the fear and worry, it created a shield against the trauma she'd been through... if only for a short while. She tucked Max's head upon her shoulder, the two of them swaying on the spot.

 "I'm so glad we found you." Max muttered as she pulled back, "You have no idea what we've seen."

 Steve had begun to approach them, leaving Eleven with Dustin to finally reunite. He took slow steps, offering his cutest smile when Scarlet looked his way... Scarlet had never seen Max move as fast as she did when Steve planted a hand atop her shoulder.

 "Woah! Just me!" he laughed, watching Max's face contort in utter irritation. It was always that way with the two of them... Pretending to hate one another, even though Steve would always be sure to check in on her, and Max would always secretly thank him... and, of course, there was that teensy tiny little crush that Maxine had developed... it was gone now, buried in the earth like a skeleton, but that didn't mean Scarlet would ever let Max forget it.

 Max paused, her face screwing up, "What happened to you?"

 "That's real nice Max, thanks."

 "I'm just saying. You look... you look like shit."

 Steve would often roll his eyes at her comments; sometimes he'd fire them back, and he'd call her a brat or an annoying pain in his ass... this time, however, he settled for a smug little smile, "Yeah?" He jutted his chin forth in Scarlet's direction, "She doesn't think so."

 A beat passed, and Max's head slowly moved to and fro... each time, her eyes narrowed a fraction further until they abruptly widened and her teeth gleamed beneath the neon light beaming down upon them, "Holy shit! You finally did it, didn't you!"

 Maxine was no fool and everybody knew that... So Scarlet wasn't surprised when the girl put the pieces together in five seconds flat. She knew something had happened between the two, actually, Max had probably manifested it herself.

 Max's delightful little outburst drew all eyes their way... Steve soon dropped that lopsided grin and settled for scratching the back of his neck as pink clawed at his skin, "Really, Max?"

 "Yes, really! God, you two have been insufferable!" She poked Steve's chest, grinning at the offended 'ow!' he squeaked out as he backed away a step, "Especially you."

 Scarlet merely watched the two of them. She couldn't have cared less if Max had taken it upon herself to gather up a megaphone and let the whole damn town know. For now, it seemed that the redhead settled for spreading the news amongst their group.

 She chuckled once more, eyes tossed to Lucas, "I told you."

 Bless Lucas, for the poor boy looked just as confused as he always did when it came to any talk of relationships, "Told me what?"

 "That these two wouldn't be able to keep away much longer."

 "Oh shit!" Lucas folded his arms across his chest, and like all the other kids, he too chose to target Steve... after all, why would they ever pick their resident superhero to tease and torment? "Stevie —" He mimicked Scarlet's honied voice as best he could... but failed rather miserably, "Finally got a girl!"

 "I hate them all," Steve said, only to be corrected within an instant by Scarlet.

 "No, you don't."

 "I do."

 "You love them."

 He looked affronted, but never made a move to argue. Instead, he finally fled the scene and sparked up a conversation with Jonathan — they'd at least managed to resolve any lingering issues throughout the summer... though that might have been due to both Scarlet and Nancy dragging them along at every instance.

 Scarlet watched him go off in his little sulk. It didn't matter that they all knew something had finally transpired... if anything, it was one of the best ways the news could have been broken; in the midst of chaos.

 Nancy had watched the conversation, Jonathan glued to her side just as usual... they had shared a look, one that Scarlet was all too familiar with. The single look had said one thing, and one thing only — finally.

 Scarlet found herself watching them all; watching as Dustin scooped each of his friends up, as Steve greeted each of the children... he kept an air of disinterest, as though he was simply completing a mandatory chore; but it was easy to see his eyes scanning their faces, narrowing in on any bumps or scrapes they'd sustained. he really did care for them, so very much.

 They all bustled about like little bugs, flittering here and there to greet their friends with a smile... Nancy had even approached Scarlet with Jonathan by her side. Perhaps it had been odd to think that there might have been tension... some sense of awkwardness, but there wasn't even a shred of it. They chatted and checked in on one another in the very same way they always did. Like nothing had changed, because nothing had.

 The somewhat peaceful swell of chittering soon came to a screeching halt when Lucas called out to his sister... it seemed that he finally noticed Erica was standing right in front of him, "What the hell are you doing here?"

 Erica's eyes rolled sky-high. Her hand sailed through the air as though she was simply swatting his words away like a pesky little fly. Her fingers soon wiggled in the direction of Steve and Robin, yet decidedly ignoring Scarlet, "Ask them. It's their fault."

 There wasn't exactly any room to argue, after all, Erica was right. They had dragged her into their stupid little plan and endangered her life... so maybe she was entitled her a little bit of sass. Just this once.

 Steve Bobbed his head, "True, yeah. Totally true. It's absolutely our fault."

 "I'm sorry —" Robin split the conversation in two. Confusion was dusted over her face, "— I'm still trying to understand what just happened..." She blinked, cerulean blue eyes landing upon Scarlet, "So... I wasn't just seeing things earlier? You really do have — And your sister — I mean... What?"

 So much for thinking that no explanation would be needed. Scarlet had truly hoped that her little display back in the base would have been enough, or perhaps the little show she and Eleven had just concluded... but Robin clearly thought she was still under the influence of the drugs that had been pumped into her blood.

 Though... she only seemed confused. There wasn't a hint of fear, no amount of bitterness. Scarlet almost kicked herself; why on earth had she thought that Robin Buckley, of all people, would scorn her? It was idiotic. Robin would have been the last person to judge her.

 "It wasn't the drugs, Rob." Scarlet brushed aside a clump of frizzed raven hair, tucking it behind her ears as she carefully approached. It was like stalking up to a wild animal, yet Robin didn't cower, "El and I, we have —"

 "— Superpowers." Dustin finished, a beaming grin on his face.

 "Sure, thank you, Dustin." A scathing look was sent his way, and he swiftly disappeared through the clammering group at record speed. Scarlet watched him go as Robin made her way closer, "Sorry I didn't tell you... I just — I thought —"

 "— That I'd tell someone?"

 "No, no, of course not. I trust you... I didn't want to scare you or... I don't know."

 Robin hitched her shoulders higher, a light and uncaring shrug. She didn't blame Scarlet — who would? Being even slightly different from the norm within Hawkins was practically a death sentence, and that was something Robin knew firsthand... Superpowers... she almost chuckled, it was hard to believe and yet the evidence had smacked her in the face.

 It was... it was awesome. The revelation was nothing short of fucking awesome.

 Robin felt her face break out with a grin. Her freckled cheeks rose higher as she considered Scarlet's worries. Scarlet had really thought that Robin would be scared of her... that she'd run for the hills? It was understandable, yet hilariously wrong, "I'm not scared of you. I mean, you did just save us..." She twisted on her heels, almost toppling to the floor. Curse her abysmal coordination. She even offered Eleven a short smile, "And you, of course."

 That was when Scarlet felt her stomach plummet. Robin's declaration had only soothed her worries and further solidified the fact that the two of them were destined to be friends. Two secrets that could cost them greatly... and neither judged the other.

 But when Robin had turned to Eleven, Scarlet felt her feet move on their own accord. El's shoulders had slumped and sweat beaded upon her forehead. Strings of hair slivered over her face, clinging to every salted droplet they could. She teetered in place, spinning as she stared out at the mall... but her eyes were completely unseeing.

 Scarlet grasped her shoulders, swiftly using a careful hand to raise her sister's jaw... looking into her eyes only worried Scarlet further. They were bloodshot and threatening to close. Scarlet pushed sweat-slicked hair from her face, cupping her sister's cheeks, "Ellie?"

 It took a second for Eleven to blink and meet Scarlet's eyes. Her chapped lips parted, yet only a whimper escaped. Eleven's hands sailed to her ears, clamping down as hard as she possibly could; she blocked out all noise, any voices as her ears began to ring, as her head began to pound like a drum.

 "I'm here, Ellie," Scarlet tried once more. She didn't know what was happening or how to help. She could only watch pathetically as her sister tipped to the side, slipping closer and closer until Scarlet had to hoist her up, "Please tell me how to help you."

 Scarlet hated this. They had only just reunited and already panic began to swell within her gut and clamber up her throat as Eleven whimpered and whined, clinging to her ears and hardly able to stand alone.

 Then, Eleven's legs buckled completely.

 Scarlet hardly cared about the horror in her voice, "Steve!" 

 She heard his footsteps immediately.

 He barrelled through the group and hastily took ahold of Eleven, lowing her to the ground. She panted as further sweat slipped past her cheeks, tears gathering in her eyes, "Shit," Steve cursed, "What happened?"

 His hand remained cupping the back of Eleven's head, ever so softly sliding it free when he felt his skin press against the cool ground. With a touch as soft as a feather, he pried a sliver of hair from her sweat-slicked forehead.

 Scarlet could only shake her head, reigning back her own tears that taunted her. Seeing Eleven squirming and groaning in utter pain felt like a kick to the gut. She could feel her fingers shaking even as she cradled Eleven's hand

 Steve didn't need to look her way to know that she was trembling; the sisters before him were so very in-tuned with one another that it was almost frightening. He'd been around the pair of them for so long that he knew how they worked, how they interacted... and just how much they could feel one another's pain and suffering.

 So he took it upon himself to tap Eleven's cheek, "C'mon, El. You've gotta tell me what's wrong so we can help."

 The others had crowded around, shadows swallowing Eleven whole... but if anything, having the neon glare wiped away from her eyes was a relief. Tears slid down her blistering cheeks, and her knuckles grew stark white as she gripped ahold of her sister with all the remaining strength she had, "My leg," she cried, managing to meet Steve's eyes. Even the care she found within them couldn't banish the pain, "It's my leg!"

 Nancy fell to her knees, hands shooting for Eleven's trouser leg, the very one drenched in deep-plum blood. With the material rolled up and out of the way, the bandage that had been tied around the girl's leg was finally revealed... but the bandage was no longer white, nor was there only a splatter of blood. The wound was clearly still gaping, for the bandage was utterly swamped in blood. Even through a squint, none of them could find a sliver of white left behind.

 Nancy tore the bandage away, and at the sight of Eleven's wound, almost everybody had to turn away, cover their mouths, or grimace at the sight alone.

 Scarlet's hold tightened, impossibly so. The wound upon her sister's leg flipped her stomach; there was a large purple lump protruding from her calf. Blood and puss seeped from the cracks and trailed over her skin, gathering and gathering until droplets dribbled to the ground. It was a vile sight, and while Scarlet wished that she too could turn away... she leaned closer... she could have sworn she'd seen...

 She did. There was something inside the wound, something that was wriggling and writhing, jolting the skin and making Eleven wince with every movement. Scarlet hadn't been the only one to spy the skin crawling movement, for Mike had teetered forwards, eyes narrowing... and then he looked to Scarlet.

 "You see that?" He questioned, trying to keep the queasiness from his voice.

 "There's something — there's something in her leg," Scarlet murmured, eyes clamping shut as Elevens skin moved once more, prompting a shrill scream to tumble from her lips.

 Without a word, Jonathan took off. Scarlet's eyes followed him, watching as he stumbled around a counter, hands scuttling through drawers. Her attention soon flooded back to Eleven as Steve brushed a thumb beneath Eleven's eyes, banishing a flood of tears away.

 His voice was low and warm, even despite the fear that had burrowed into his own gut, "We have to keep her talking," he applied a light squeeze of pressure upon Eleven's shoulder, smiling ever softly as she pried her eyes open, "Hey, you can fight this, El. I know you can. You and you're sister... you're fighters, yeah?"

 Scarlet never found herself thinking any different, but she really was glad that Steve was right there by her side, using his voice when she couldn't find the strength to do the same. It was hard enough not to burst into snivelling tears at the sight of Eleven alone.

 But Steve understood that, so he slipped his free hand close to Scarlet, holding onto her fingers as firmly as he possibly could. He gave a squeeze, sending his warmth her way... and that was enough for the tears to escape and tumble down her flushed cheeks; watching Eleven writhe in pain after everything she'd already gone through... there was nothing worse than that, especially when Scarlet couldn't bring herself to do anything that could possibly help.

 It was quite hard to manoeuvre, but Steve managed to hoist himself over Eleven, and settle on the ground right beside Scarlet... without dropping either of their hands. Eleven's was clasped within his right, and Scarlets in his left. He felt Scarlet's head topple onto his shoulder, the obvious warmth and wetness of tears soaking his already destroyed uniform.

 He let his head drop, settling it atop her own... a passing kiss pressed into her mess of tangled hair.

 When Jonathan returned, Scarlet had expected to feel a swell of relief; he had kept his head and had taken on the duty of finding a solution without a hint of hesitation, and while Scarlet would forever be thankful... she couldn't help the way her heart plummeted and fell to the deep depths of her stomach at the sight of a glove on his hand, and a gleaming knife clasped within his fingers.

 He was going to cut it out.

 Jonathan sank to his knees, and the supplies that balanced in the crook of his elbow clattered to the floor in a haphazard pile. A wooden spoon, multiple napkins, and old cloth... He rose the knife and the sharpened tip glinted... only it was no longer silver, but a cold blue. He'd sterilized it.

 Jonathan's face portrayed nothing but sorrow as he looked to the eldest of the Hoppers, "Can you keep her still?"

 Her powers. He was asking if she was strong enough to keep Eleven static in red all the while she screamed and cried and begged. She didn't want to, she really, really didn't... but Scarlet nodded all the same. She rose her head, a heavy breath spilling through her lips as she untangled her quivering fingers from the solace of Steve's warmth.

 "I can." She said, because she had to. She trailed her jittering fingers across Eleven's jaw with the care of any older sister. She hated the water within Eleven's eyes as her sister peered at her, but the utmost trust was still there, shining through such bleak terror, "It'll be alright... it's going to hurt, but you'll be okay. I promise."

 Eleven managed the barest of nods, and upon her own volition, she closed her eyes. If anyone was to hold her down whilst pain flooded her body, she was at least glad it would be her sister... for Scarlet wasn't the only one who found comfort within crimson.

 Scarlet cleared her throat, the sting of eyes burning into her cheeks made her swallow... She rose her hands hovering them just above Eleven's stomach — they shook like leaves in a volatile wind. Her fingers surged and soon enough, nothing but ruddy-red filled their vision... it spewed from Scarlet's palms, covering Eleven like a blanket to comfort a child.

 Scarlet's hands grew rigid, and that comforting blanket became nothing more than binds made of red. They coiled around the girl, squeezing her tight, holding her limbs in place.

 "Here we go." Jonathan's voice was hardly louder than a whisper, as though only speaking to influence his own hand, to give him the courage to carve up a mere child. The knife was brought down, its searing edge slicing through skin.

 Eleven screamed louder than they'd ever heard, and soon enough, Scarlet felt a sob erupt from her throat... her hands remained right where they were needed and a prickle of amber warmth flooded from skin connecting with her knee — Steve, just as always... Right when she needed him.

 Eleven's shriek was deafening to all ears; Max and Mike struggled to keep their gaze upon her. Will had turned away, arms folded around his own gut for some semblance of solace... Robin recoiled and Erica soon planted her hands over her ears... She finally seemed thankful for Lucas as he turned her away.

 Jonathan's face contorted, horror flooding his features as the knife was finally laid to rest on the ground... a pitiful trail of blood pooling beneath the marred edges. Then, with a churning stomach, he brought his gloved hand closer to the incision. His chest heaved with a heavy inhale, and then... then his hand dove into the gaping wound, fingers digging through flesh and blood. Every single movement drew an agonizing scream from Eleven.

 Scarlet couldn't tell their voices apart, but some of their companions called for Jonathan to stop. Others cried out in horror, grimaces stretching further. Jonathan tried to soften his movements, really, he did... but they had to get that damn thing out. He searched, and he searched and yet his fingers grappled for nothing.

 Scarlet's lips parted, "Stop." With no response, she cried louder; a demand rather than a plea, "Stop it!"

 Her fingertips faded, all light withdrawing from the scene the moment Jonathan stumbled backwards. He couldn't tear his eyes away from the blood atop his digits, and he could feel vomit already rising to his tongue.

 Scarlet knew there was only one option left. With Jonathan unable to truly force himself to harm Eleven further, and with the contorted faces of the others... she knew it fell to her. It always did. 

 She blinked away the tears, feeling them slide down her cheeks, gathering at her chin.

 If a piece of the monster was within her skin like Max had spouted... then Scarlet would be able to sense it. After all... she'd felt the thing all this time. She'd heard its call, and felt the shiver that came with its power each and every day. The chime of the clock as though to symbolise the countdown until they'd meet again.

 The Mind Flayer... Scarlet knew it hadn't just painted a target on Will and Eleven. It wanted her too. It had faced her directly, struck her gut and sent her toppling from Will's mind. It could feel her, and it craved her power... she just knew it.

 "Hold her down." Scarlet's voice lost that lilt once more. The honey and sugar in her tone that they had all grown so familiar with had wilted like a flower beneath snow. Coldness crept in, and nothing comforting was left behind. She had a job to do now. "I'll do it."

 "Scar..." Steve's fingers pressed into her knee. It brought her back to earth once more.

 She blinked and faced him, "I have to."

 His shoulders sagged, teeth digging ever so painfully into his lip. He knew it was their last option, the only way... nobody else had powers that could crawl forth and gather the creature into its hold. That, of course, didn't mean he had to be happy about it.

 He nodded silently, fingers tapping away at her skin just once more, and then, he stood and found himself kneeling on her other side. His hand pushed down on Eleven's shoulder, while Mike took the other side... and even now, Steve's other hand still sought Eleven's.

 His voice echoed into her ears, "You squeeze as hard as you need, okay?"

 Eleven nodded through her whimper.

 Nancy took a hand, and Robin gritted her teeth and clamped her fingers around Eleven's good leg... They all held her still while Max and Will whispered into her ears. It'll be over soon, they said, hang on El.

 Then, they were doused in crimson once again.

 Scarlet used just one hand, hovering it a mere few inches above the festering wound... a whisp of crimson slithered through Eleven's flesh, and immediately the beast within the skin began to squirm; whether it was to escape, or come closer... Scarlet had no idea, and she truly didn't wish to find out.

 Her fingers pulsed, delving power further, deeper within the wound. Her eyes closed, obscuring that eerie red glaze as she searched. She could feel it... a wave of energy sent a trail of shivers down her spine, tickling her own skin, bringing every hair on end. It was so familiar to the feeling she'd gotten when she'd come face to face with the Gate; the same feeling she'd felt here and there over the summer...

 Then, just as she thought something was missing... a clock chimed. She knew the others hadn't heard it, they never did before so why would they now? With a tremor, she ignored it and pressed further.

 The creature squealed... and she knew the others had heard it. Someone had stepped away, their shoes creaking, someone else had gasped, and another had cringed. But it was enough for Scarlet to pinpoint exactly where the damned thing was.

 Her power clawed through flesh and blood, and then, when it coursed around the source of energy, it coiled like a striking serpent. The chittering little beast shrieked and howled as she tugged and tugged... then, with a final harsh pull, the creature was dragged from Eleven's wound.

 The scream that erupted from Eleven was torturous. It could have made her ears bleed as the little girl's lungs forced every little inch of air out. Scarlet's eyes snapped open and while one hand was focused on keeping the creature bound in crimson, her other hand sailed to the side, slicing through the air like a knife.

 Eleven's screams were known well enough to them all... except for Robin and Erica, of course. The others all knew that with the girl's ferocity, her yelling, kicking and screaming came power. Raw surges of utter power.

 This time was no exception; with the scream tearing from Eleven's chest and echoing from her throat came the shattering of a store window. Glass fragmented, cracks scattering like freshly woven spiderwebs... just as the collection of splinters threatened to topple forth and tear at their skin, each and every little piece remained in the air, hovering silently.

 It looked like a smattering of scarlet-red snowflakes. Each piece illuminated with Scarlet's power just... hanging there like a looming threat upon the breeze.

 Scarlet breathed a shallow breath. A snap of her fingers came and the glass droplets pulsed around them. A shower of fragments rained around them... yet not a single cut marred their flesh. A circle had formed around them, perfectly sculpted as though the kids and teens had gathered the debris and laid it out themselves.

 Scarlet could hear Robin breathe out in utter awe.

 The creature writhed in the air, all the while Eleven fell back against the ground, her head settling atop Maxine's lap. Scarlet stare was blank, her head crooked atop her neck as she stared at the thing, feeling it try to reach out... A throb echoed at the base of her skull, and it was all she needed to toss the creature as far away from them as she could.

 All red simmered away, and the only remnant left behind was in the form of blood trailing beneath Scarlet's nose.

 There was something twisted within Scarlet's heart as she watched the creature try with all its might to scuttle away... it cried out and wormed across the ground, a trail of thick and dark blood left in its wake. She watched with through slitted eyes, hands ticking by her side... 

 Three... two... one...

 But before she could finish watching the thing scurry as hard as it possibly could, only to halt its path with her power once again, a heavy boot fell through the air and crushed it before it could weasel even an inch further.

 Scarlet's eyes remained fixated. They watched the flattened creature for a moment, and when no movement prevailed, she trailed her gaze over the boot, up legs clad in jean... past a silly patterned shirt, and then...

 "Oh, thank God." Her voice crashed with fatigue. 

 It was Hopper, her father, and his appearance alone was enough for Scarlet to let down her guard, banish her shields and topple sideways into Steve. He wrapped an arm around her instantaneously all the while murmuring her praise.

 Joyce was by his side, as was Murray Bauman... But Scarlet couldn't draw her eyes away from her father and the utter relief that filled his features the moment his eyes landed upon his children. 

 His little girls.

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29-05-2020

edited version: 23/11/2022

:･ﾟ★ Oh, we're really getting into it now, huh? Six chapters left for act two... damn. sorry but the whole scene of Scarlet simultaneously tearing that slug bitch out AND protecting them all from glass? iconic babes. iconic.

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