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CHAPTER THIRTEEN ; PICK YOUR WEAPON
also known as;
( the upside down ; part two )

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"JONATHAN, I'M SORRY FOR BEING AN ASSHOLE," STEVE SAID CLEARLY, HIS LONG, WELL GROOMED HAIR BOUNCING UP AND DOWN AS HE SPOKE. Stella watched from beside him as he went over what he had to say to the Byers boy, and what had begun as a ridiculous speech had now been shortened down to a few meaningful sentences. The pair sat in Steve's BMW outside Jonathan's home, and afterwards they were going to Nancy's house with hopes to win her back. "I shouldn't have said all those things about you and your family, it was uncalled for and it'll never happen again. It was wrong of me to treat you and Nancy like that and accuse you both of things you didn't do. I hope that some day in the future you can forgive me, I would forever be grateful."

"Sounds just as apologetic as the other twenty times you said it," Stella grumbled, before gesturing to the home. She doubted Steve had ever been there before, as she had to point out where to go and when to turn on their way there. It wasn't an expensive house like his, as the Byers family lived on a limited salary and tried their best to get by. Nonetheless, the teenage boy didn't say anything when they pulled into the driveway. The lights inside were on and Jonathan's car was parked outside, so they knew he was home. Stella nudged Steve and gestured towards the house. "Go on."

Steve exhaled through his nose, before clearing his throat and opening his door. He stepped out into the cool night air and left Stella alone in the car. The Collins girl watched as he reluctantly walked towards the front door, seeing his lips moving quickly as he recited his apology again to himself. The teen sighed, before crossing her arms and tapping her foot against the carpeted floor. She had to admit to herself, this was probably the nicest vehicle she'd ever been in. It was impeccably clean, no surface dusty or unattended to. 

Leaning back in her comfortable seat, the raven-haired girl stared forward and watched Steve peering through a crack in the door. She wouldn't be surprised if Jonathan was unsure of forgiving him, but it was worth a try. She had no idea how long the boys would be, so she sighed and closed her eyes, resting her head and allowing her mind to wander. 

For some reason, she began thinking of Mike, Lucas, Dustin and Eleven. She wondered what they had been up to over the last twenty-four hours, as she hadn't seen them over that time. All she could remember was giving them individual embraces at Will's funeral and then proceeding to part with them, as when she had gone to visit the Wheelers later that day Mike had gone out somewhere. She hadn't heard from him, or any of the other children since. 

Just as she began thinking about the ridiculous theories that had been spouted her way by both the boys and Chief Hopper, a loud yelp caught her attention. Stella's head shot up and she leaned forward in her seat, eyes squinting as she watched the lights inside the Byers home flickering madly. "What the hell?"

A loud crash made her jolt in shock, followed by a harsh rumble. It was similar to the one she heard in the cemetery, one that sent shivers down her spine. The growl was haunting and made Stella freeze where she sat. Seconds later the sound of gunshots followed, and she felt her throat close up and her body fall into panic mode.

It is a well known fact that when many animals -- such as humans -- are put in a position of terror or extreme tension, a particular response is set off within their brains. It is called Fight or Flight. In retaliation to acute stress, the body's sympathetic nervous system is activated due to the sudden release of hormones. The sympathetic nervous systems stimulate the adrenal glands triggering the release of catecholamines, which include adrenaline and noradrenaline. 

Stella Collins had always though she was a fighter. She stood up for those in need and could throw her fist if it needed to be done. She didn't think she was afraid of much, maybe only the idea of losing those close to her or the idea of losing her roller-skates. But, as she sunk further into the costly leather seats of Steve Harrington's fine automobile, she felt a paralysing fear over come her. She didn't want to move, she didn't know if she could move. Whatever was going on inside that house -- she wanted nothing to do with. 

Then she began realising that maybe she wasn't as fearless as she had led on. She was terrified of so many things -- remembering Annie, forgetting Will, becoming so distant everyone stopped caring about her. She was afraid of hurting other people, but it appeared that maybe she was also terrified of letting herself get hurt. 

Maybe Stella Collins wasn't a fighter. Maybe she should do what she always did, like when Annie died, like when heard the noise at the cemetery, like when she heard all the ridiculous supernatural accusations floating around town -- maybe she should just run. 

Unconsciously, Stella lifted her hand and reached for the door handle at her side, her fingers gripping the plastic until her skin turned white. After hearing more yells, her dark eyes flickered back to the Byers home to see everything still once more. With her heart beating out of control, as if prompted by an electrical surge. She didn't want to blink in fear of missing anything, in fear she would come face to face with someone unknown that she didn't want to see. 

A loud slam caught her attention and nearly made her jump five feet in the air, though when her wide-eyed gaze finally settled, she realised that it was Steve sprinting out of the home with a terrified expression upon his face. The boy fumbled with the keys and Stella quickly let go of her door handle to open his for him, watching in fright as his head darting around quickly, as if looking for something to pop out at him. "Steve, what the fuck is going on?"

Steve then froze, and Stella tilted her head up at him, seeing that he was staring in back at the house with alarm soaking into his features. Stella quickly followed his line of vision, her jaw slacking slightly. The sound of electricity pulsating echoed through the cold night as the lights in the home started blinking again, and she felt goosebumps arise on the back of her neck. The sudden urge to vomit began clawing its way through her, and she reached for Steve's arm. 

"We have to go!" She exclaimed, her voice rushed and full of distress. All of a sudden, everything went quiet. Both teens kept their eyes on the home, seeing that the lights were no longer on and that the building had gone dark. Petrified tears welled up in Stella's eyes, and she couldn't force any words out her mouth. 

Steve turned to her quickly, his own eyes wide and scared. Stella had only seen him like this once, and it was tormenting to see the trepidation and dismay in the pained expression. "Stay here, okay?"

"W-What?" Stella spluttered as Steve darted off towards the property once more, leaving her alone again. The teenage girl's breath was shaky as she leapt from the car, the night air of Hawkins full of terror. She didn't feel safe in her hometown anymore, she felt suffocated and hysterical. She had no idea what to think or what to do, and all her brain was saying was run. 

Four gunshots rung through the atmosphere, and as much as Stella wanted to dash home and hide under her bed until this was all over, the thought of leaving three of her school mates to die from something she didn't know ate her alive. 

Hanging her head back and letting a single frustrated tear run down her cheek, Stella felt a scream bubbling in her throat, thinking about the lives that may possibly be at stake. She couldn't just run away, she couldn't do what she always did.  "Fuck!"

Breaking into a run, instead of fleeing she hurried towards the danger with fire in her eyes and fear in her heart. Her sweaty hands threw open the front door and she charged in, her gaze resting on something she thought she'd never see. Amidst hundreds of multi-coloured christmas lights, a tall, lanky, unearthly figure towered over every other living thing in the home, slime dripping from its grey skin and long, pointy fingers opening at its front. Stella had no time to process anything that was happening as the door slammed shut behind her.

At the loud entrance of the teenager, the monster's attention was caught. The vile brute spun around with its sights set on the meaty girl whose forehead was beaded with sweat and mouth was dropped open in pure shock. Stella's heart stopped in her chest and she felt her throat clench up, feeling her mind shut down. The yells from everyone else around her was fuzzy and almost muted in her ears, she couldn't seem to process anything.

The monster was real. 

The familiar despicable growl of the creature reverberated in her ears and she suddenly felt everything crashing down around her. A numb feeling overcame her as she backed into the door, her jaw trembling as she tried to think of what to do. She was slowly being cornered by the monster, and she found herself thinking of her parents, her friends, Will, Annie. 

Fight, not flight. Fight, not flight. Fight, not flight. 

Stella squeezed her eyes shut as the beast dove for her, only to hear a loud 'thwack' mere centimetres away from her frozen being. A trembling breath left her lips a second and she lifted her hands to her chest, feeling it rising up and down at the speed of light. Her eyes shot open once more to see Steve holding a wooden baseball bat with nails protruding out the end only a few metres away from her.

The boy swung the weapon with all the might, managing to hit the beast out of the way. He too, appeared terrified, and Stella felt everything around her begin to shake as she slowly began processing whatever was going on. She looked around the room manically, not knowing what to think of the blinking Christmas lights, then glancing over at Jonathan Byers and....Nancy?

"A little help here!" Steve called out and Stella's gaze returned to him, seeing him backing up, having lost the upper hand. His eyes were wide and full of unease, his clammy hands twisting around the base of the bat. He looked like he knew he was going to die.

Stella felt something inside her snap at the sight, and she scanned the room for any other useful weapons. Empty cartons of lighter fluid and a tub of gasoline littered the floor -- that was probably the stench that had hit her nose when she entered, but there was nothing she could think to use, nothing that would do much damage. 

A idea suddenly popped into her head and she spun around and darted into the kitchen that connected to the front room, her frantic stare searching for the desired object. A relieved gasp left her parted lips at the sight of the unattended frying pan one of the Byers' left out, and she quickly grabbed the handle, running back to the hallway where Nancy was struggling to reload what looked to be a revolver. 

Steve ducked as the monster swung its fist, and Stella's jaw tightened, as did her grip on the kitchen utensil. Creeping towards it whilst trying not to attract its attention, she quickly leapt forward and evaded the creature's arm so that she was in front of the popular boy. A war cry left her mouth as she swung the frying pan, slamming the monster in the side and sending it further down the hall. 

Steve rushed to the other side of her and twirled the bat in his hand, before smashing the creature's stomach and forcing it back. A deafening 'clang' rung through the house and the beast cried out in pain, having stepped in something. Stella jumped in fright, completely (and understandably) on edge. 

If anyone had asked her what she had planned to get up to on her Saturday night, this wasn't it. 

"He's in the trap!" Steve shouted, and Stella hastily took a step back as Jonathan burst forward with a lighter in hand. Stella held the frying pan at shoulder height, terrified it would break free and hurt them. "He's stuck!"

"Jonathan, now!" Nancy yelled, all of them standing behind the Byers boy. Jonathan turned the lighter on quickly and tossed it onto the ground. Stella leapt back in shock as the carpet caught fire. That was why it smelled like gasoline. 

Stella covered her eyes from the scorching flames, trying to breathe as the walls seemed to close in.  Jonathan darted back to grab the fire extinguisher, before pushing himself to the front of the group. "Get back!"

The hallway clouded with carbon dioxide, concealing the slimy monster and anything past the archway. Stella, along with Nancy and Steve coughed as the chemicals hung in the air, and Jonathan panted, waving away the smoke away.

Stella hung behind the group as they inched towards where the monster was trapped, peering over the shoulders of Steve and Nancy. She felt her heartbeat quicken as she stood on her toes, seeing slime and goo dripping down the sides of the bear trap. Nancy gaped from in front of her. "Where is it?"

"No, it has to be dead," Jonathan gasped out, slumping against the wall in exhaustion. Stella swallowed, unable to keep her eyes off the purplish sludge that bubbled atop the steel trap. "It has to be."

"What the hell was that thing?" Stella released a shaky breath, the gravity of the situation finally hitting her. She lifted her spare hand to her head, wiping the sweat from her brows. She was at loss for breath, she could barely contain herself. Her throat felt as if it was shrinking and she collapsed in the doorway, trying to calm herself down.

"You believe us now?" Nancy asked with raised eyebrows, and Stella glanced up at her, nodding once. 

"You gotta admit," she gestured to all the Christmas lights strung throughout the house, as well as the countless weapons and dangerous material surrounding them. "This is all a bit far-fetched."

"I guess you could say that," Steve grumbled, before Jonathan quickly hushed them all, holding his hand up, pointing at the lights above them. The group of teenagers looked up, seeing the multi-coloured lights softly glowing above them. It was less alarming than the intense flickering from before, it seemed almost peaceful. 

An eerie silence filled the home and Jonathan grabbed Stella's elbow, pulling her towards him. Stella jumped slightly at the sudden contact, looking back at him to see that he, along with the other two were back up down the hallway. As Stella was tugged between Nancy and Jonathan, Steve stepped in front of them all with his bat at the ready.  

Between all the uneven breathing of the four teens, the haunting sound of the singular lights turning on grew faint as they lit of further away from them, like something was moving underneath. Stella didn't see anybody there. 

Jonathan took the lead, cautiously following the string of lights. It appeared that he knew something no one else did. Stella hung behind hesitantly, trailing after the trio who slowly made their way through the house and onto the front porch. Stella felt the cold air hit her like a slap in the face, and she shivered, her wide eyes following everyone else's, staring up at the lamppost just outside the home. The light crackled, and Stella stepped beside Steve, her entire body trembling in trepidation. 

"Where's it going?" Nancy inquired, both curiosity and anxiety lacing her tone. 

"I don't think that's the monster," Jonathan mumbled almost inaudibly, and Stella swallowed, loosening her grip on the frying pan. Her eyes trailed over to the back of Jonathan's head, wondering what in the hell he could be going on about. 

"So..." Stella broke the silence, attracting the attention from those around her. She appeared to be in deep thought, though her expression was one of fear. "If this...monster is real, what does that mean?"

"It means Will might still be alive," Jonathan answered quickly, and Stella froze. Her face drained of whatever colour was left, and Steve straightened up slightly, his eyebrows knitting together. 

"You okay?" he queried, and her eyes flickered up to his concerned face. The frying pan fell from her grip and slammed against the wooden porch. Stella's hands slowly lifted to her opened mouth, and she felt herself grow faint. 

"The boys," she spluttered. "They were telling the truth, and I left them. Where are they? Are they okay? Are they with El? They aren't in trouble are they--"

"Wait, you knew about the girl?" Nancy asked instantaneously, and Stella nodded, pursing her lips. "Why did you say anything to the Chief? To Ms Byers?"

"Because I promised Mike I'd keep her a secret," Stella quipped, and Nancy watched as the girl sighed, running her hands through her hair. She was clearly distraught, tears forming in her eyes as she thought about the danger her boys could possibly be in. She looked between Nancy and Jonathan, and the two, as well as Steve, could truly see how much she cared about them. "Please tell me they're okay."

"They're fine, Stella," Jonathan assured her, stepping towards her and resting a comforting hand on her shoulder. Stella looked over at him with watery eyes, and Jonathan sighed, pulling her into a hug. "They're at the middle school with Eleven. She found Will with her powers and my mom and Hopper have gone to find him."

"So it's all true?" Stella asked him, her voice hesitant and quiet, like she didn't want to admit her mistake in denying it all. She pulled away from Jonathan and looked back at Nancy, both of whom nodded in confirmation. A single tear rolled down the girl's cheek and a trembling exhale exited her lips. "Will's alive?"

"He's alive," Jonathan smiled and Stella choked out a laugh in response. Her wet eyes glimmered in the shine of the Christmas lights and she suddenly felt a whole lot brighter. 

Will Byers, the boy who had disappeared only six days ago was alive. Stella had so many questions. Where did he go? Was he kidnapped? How did Eleven find him? Whose body did they find in the quarry? And most importantly, what the hell was going on? 

Steve seemed to be thinking along the same lines, as he looked completely and utterly confused every time a word was muttered. "Can someone explain this to me?" 

"We need to clean up the house, and then we need to go to the hospital," Nancy sighed, turning around and entering the home again. Stella and Steve shared a glance, and she smiled awkwardly, before following the girl in. 

Nancy Wheeler was far from the person Stella thought she knew -- from a typical, smart sophomore who had the desire to be known to a gun wielding monster fighter, it truly came as a surprise. It turned out that maybe she didn't really know any of the teenagers surrounding her, at least not anymore. She didn't know Jonathan Byers could be brave, Nancy could be tough or Steve could be nice. She didn't know she could save someone's life, but oh how times had changed.

For better or worse, she didn't know.

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this chapter is dedicated to my good dude redblackreveur cause she helped me figure this whole sequence out!!! love you xx

HOOOOOO BOY THAT WAS A LONG CHAPTER!! did it make sense??? who knows!!!

anyway hope you enjoyed the drama, it was kinda all a blur to write but it took some time cause of drama that went on outside of wattpad so i wasn't really in the moOoOoD lol

anYWHOM i hope you enjoyed this strange chapter, PLEASE VALIDATE ME I NEED LOVE AND SUPPORT

i know i said this like three chapters ago but there's only ONE MORE CHAPTER LEFT (i think) OF SEASON ONE!!!! HELL YEAH!!!!! MAYBE ONE OR TWO IDK YET LOLOL

ALSO I ADDED TIMOTHÉE CHALAMET TO THE CAST AS RICHIE DAVIDSON WHO'S GONNA BE A CHARACTER IN PART TWO I LOVE HIM SO MUCH ALREADY WOOP-DE-DOO

bye guys!! xx