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FLASHES OF RED ERUPTED ACROSS THE SKY, ILLUMINATING THE OMINOUS LANDSCAPE AROUND THEM.

Isadora slowed her pace, her breath hitching as the sky turned crimson, casting an eerie glow over everything. She exchanged a glance with Billy, who was running beside her, their footsteps hurried and frantic as they raced to find Steve and the others. Isadora had no idea what to expect—just that whatever was happening, it wasn't good.

Their frantic search didn't take long. They found Steve, but Isadora froze in horror as a swarm of bats descended upon him, their wings flapping violently, their screeches piercing the air.

"Steve!" Kendra's voice cracked as she bolted toward him, panic etched on her face. Isadora's heart pounded in her chest as the bats, seemingly alerted to their presence, redirected their focus toward the group. Instinctively, she grabbed Billy's jacket and held it up in front of her, attempting to shield herself from the incoming swarm.

Billy, however, was already at her side, thinking fast. "Here, Is, use this instead," he said, handing her a sturdy stick he had picked up from the ground. Isadora nodded quickly, tying the jacket around her waist and gripping the stick in her hands. With a determined swing, she knocked one of the bats away from Steve, whose face was pale and strained as he fought the creatures off.

"Hey there, Steve," Isadora called out between heavy breaths. "Thought you might need a little help."

Steve turned to her, still panting, but managed a strained smile. "Perfect timing."

Billy stood back for a moment, watching with admiration as Isadora swung the stick again, knocking another bat from the sky. Her blonde hair, now disheveled from the frantic fighting, clung to her face as she concentrated. Another flash of red lit the sky behind her, casting an almost surreal glow over the scene.

But the danger was far from over.

"Is, watch out!" Billy's voice came out in a sharp cry as one of the bats lunged straight at Isadora, its sharp teeth sinking into her shoulder before she could react. A scream tore from her throat as pain shot through her body, the bat's claws digging into her flesh.

Billy didn't hesitate. He rushed forward, grabbing the bat with both hands and tearing it off her with sheer brute force, his muscles straining as he ripped the creature apart. Its black blood splattered across the ground as it fell lifelessly to the dirt. Isadora stumbled, clutching her bleeding shoulder as she tried to catch her breath.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice trembling. The pain was overwhelming, but she forced herself to stay on her feet. Her eyes widened as she glanced toward Steve, who had resorted to biting one of the bats in a desperate attempt to fight them off. To her horror, she saw the creature go limp in his jaws, and blood dripped down his chin.

"Steve, what are you—" Isadora's voice faltered, a mixture of shock and disgust twisting in her stomach as she watched.

"You alright, love?" Billy's voice was soft, filled with concern. He gently placed a hand on her back, his touch steady and reassuring.

"Yeah... yeah, I think so. Thanks for saving me," Isadora replied, though the words felt distant. Her shoulder throbbed, and she winced with every breath. She tried to smile at Billy, but the pain and exhaustion were quickly catching up to her.

Billy frowned, brushing a strand of hair from her face. "'I think so' isn't exactly reassuring, Is, but you know I'll always help you," he said, leaning in to kiss her forehead tenderly.

"I promise, I'm fine," Isadora insisted, though even she wasn't convinced. The wound was throbbing, and she could feel the warmth of her own blood seeping through her shirt.

Behind them, Kendra rushed to Steve's side. "Steve, you're bleeding," she said, her voice filled with concern. She reached out, gingerly tracing the wound on his abdomen where the bats had clawed at him.

Steve winced but tried to shrug it off. "They took a chunk out of me, but I'm still standing. I'll be fine."

Robin, ever the voice of anxious energy, piped up. "Do you think these bats could have rabies?" she asked, wide-eyed.

Steve blinked at her. "Rabies?"

Robin continued, her tone picking up speed. "Yeah, like, rabies are my number one fear, and once you start showing symptoms, it's too late. You're already dead."

Billy glanced over at Isadora, noticing her worried expression as she looked at the bite on her shoulder. He squeezed her hand gently. "Robin, you're scaring Is," he said, shooting Robin a warning look.

But before anyone could respond, a new sound filled the air—the unmistakable chittering of more creatures approaching. Isadora's stomach twisted with dread as the group turned to see more bats flying toward them, their screeches louder, more aggressive.

"Alright, we can take these," Steve said, bracing himself, though he was clearly weakened.

Billy frowned, shaking his head. "I don't think we can handle all of them," he muttered, pointing toward the massive swarm that was now bearing down on them.

Isadora's heart sank. "Oh no," she whispered, gripping the stick tighter.

"The woods, move!" Nancy's voice cut through the chaos, her words sharp and commanding. Without hesitation, the group turned and bolted for the trees, Kendra and Billy helping Steve as they all ran as fast as they could. The sounds of screeching bats filled the air around them, but the trees provided some cover.

As they reached a cluster of rocks, Nancy motioned for everyone to take cover. They huddled beneath the largest one, catching their breath. Around them, flashes of red continued to light up the sky, casting everything in an eerie glow.

"This is the Upside Down?" Billy asked, his voice filled with disbelief as he glanced around at the twisted, nightmarish landscape.

"Yeah, this is it," Nancy replied, her eyes scanning the horizon, still on high alert.

"And those bat things... they're trying to keep us from getting out?" Billy asked, glancing toward Isadora, who was now leaning against the rock, her face pale from the pain.

Isadora nodded shakily. "Y-Yeah, seems like it," she grimaced, sitting down slowly. The adrenaline was wearing off, and the pain in her shoulder was getting harder to ignore. Billy noticed how pale she had become and crouched beside her, gently placing a hand on her thigh.

"Princess, are you okay?"

Isadora forced a smile, though it didn't reach her eyes. "Just sore," she whispered. "Hey... Robin was kidding about the rabies thing, right?"

Billy chuckled softly, squeezing her thigh reassuringly. "Yeah, she was just kidding, love. Don't worry."

Isadora nodded, though her mind was still racing. She glanced over at Steve, who stumbled again, looking worse by the second.

"S-Shit," Isadora muttered under her breath.

"Steve?" Kendra rushed to his side, concern etched across her face.

"I'm fine," Steve insisted, though his voice wavered. "Just a little woozy."

"No, you're not. You're losing blood," Kendra said firmly, already tearing the bottom of her shirt to bandage his wound. Robin, ever the talker, chimed in again.

"Good news—wooziness isn't a symptom of rabies. Bad news—if you start hallucinating or getting aggressive, let us know," Robin rambled, her words coming out in a rush.

Steve managed a weak smile. "I kind of want to punch you right now."

"Humour's still intact—that's a good sign," Robin said with a laugh, though Kendra remained focused on Steve's wound, wrapping it as tightly as she could.

Meanwhile, Eddie, pacing nervously, asked, "So, uh, this place is like Hawkins but with extra nightmares?"

"Pretty much," Nancy said, her eyes scanning the ground. "Watch out for the vines. It's all connected."

"Connected?" Isadora asked, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"Yeah. Step on one vine, and you're alerting everything around here—bats, Demogorgons, Vecna," Steve explained, wincing as Kendra tightened the bandage around his stomach.

"Right... no stepping on vines," Billy said, glancing down warily.

"But if everything from Hawkins is still here, except the people, could we find weapons? Guns, maybe?" Robin asked hopefully.

Nancy nodded. "We don't have to go far for that. I have guns at my house."

Eddie raised an eyebrow, surprised. "You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns?"

"She's full of surprises," Steve said with a grin.

Suddenly, a loud rumble shook the ground beneath them. Isadora gasped as the earth trembled violently, causing her to stumble back into Billy's arms. The Upside Down seemed to be quaking, as if something massive was stirring below. Billy held her tight until the tremor passed.

"Okay, so... guns sound like a solid plan," Eddie muttered once the ground stopped shaking.

"Agreed," Billy said, helping Isadora back to her feet. He kept her close, still watching her with concern.

Steve, despite his injuries, pulled Eddie's jean jacket around his shoulders and grabbed a flashlight. "Let's get moving. We need to make it to Nancy's house before those things come back."

With that, they began making their way through the treacherous, twisted version of Hawkins, hoping they could make it to safety before the Upside Down swallowed them whole.

As the group continued their tense journey through the twisted landscape of the Upside Down, the air was thick with anticipation. Shadows danced under the flashes of red that frequently lit the sky, casting eerie shapes along the barren, decaying ground. Nancy moved up to walk beside Kendra and Robin, their whispered conversation drowned out by the ominous rustle of the nearby vines and the distant screeching of bats. Eddie, always restless, peeled off to talk with Steve, leaving Isadora and Billy walking together in a silence that felt heavy but comforting.

"Do you think Max is safe?" Billy asked, his voice soft yet strained, betraying the worry that gnawed at him. He couldn't hide his anxiety when it came to Max—his sister meant more to him than he ever let on, and in a place as dangerous as the Upside Down, his fears felt justified. As he turned to look at Isadora, he noticed her absentmindedly tracing the bite mark on her shoulder, her fingers gently skimming the raw edges of the wound. He saw her flinch, the sharp pain clearly still lingering, and without a word, he moved closer to her.

Billy slid his hand into hers, his fingers wrapping around hers in a gesture of quiet support. He squeezed gently, his thumb brushing over the back of her hand. Isadora looked up at him, offering a soft smile, grateful for his unspoken reassurance.

"She's probably safer than either of us are right now," Isadora replied, her voice calm and measured despite the chaos swirling around them. "Beatrix is with her, and you know Bea. She wouldn't let anything happen to Max. If anyone can keep her safe, it's her." Isadora's eyes softened as she mentioned Beatrix, her own trust in her friend's strength evident.

Billy nodded, though a sliver of doubt remained etched in his brow. His protective instincts ran deep, and even though Isadora's words brought him some comfort, he couldn't shake the weight of worry sitting on his chest. As they continued walking, Isadora sidled closer to him, her arm brushing against his as she leaned in with a playful smirk.

"You know," she said, a teasing note in her voice, "it was pretty attractive watching you tear that bat in half with your bare hands."

Billy chuckled at the unexpected compliment, a smirk playing at the edges of his lips. He glanced sideways at her, his admiration for her bravery swelling. "You think so, huh?" he teased. "Well, it was pretty attractive watching you rush in to fight off those bats attacking Harrington without even hesitating. You looked fearless." He paused, his expression growing serious again. "But there's no way I was going to let those things attack you. How's your shoulder, Princess? Still hurting?"

Isadora shrugged slightly, her smile turning wry. "It's okay. A little sore, but nothing I can't handle. I think I'll live," she said with a small laugh, trying to lighten the mood.

"Good," Billy said, though his tone was weighted with something deeper. "Because I don't know what I'd do without you, Is. I can't lose you." His voice was quieter now, and there was a raw vulnerability in his words that Isadora rarely heard from him.

She stopped walking for a moment, turning to face him fully, her hand gently pressing against his chest. "You're not going to lose me, Billy. I promise you, I'm not going anywhere," she said, her eyes locking with his, filled with warmth and certainty. She wanted him to feel the strength of her promise, to know that despite everything, they would get through this together.

Just as Billy was about to respond, the ground beneath them rumbled violently, sending shockwaves through the twisted terrain. Isadora stumbled, her balance thrown off by the sudden tremor, but Billy reacted swiftly, wrapping his arms around her, pulling her into his chest to steady her. They held onto each other as the ground shook beneath their feet, the Upside Down quaking as if something massive was stirring deep below the surface. The tremor felt longer this time, more intense, and neither of them moved until the earth finally stilled once more.

Once the shaking ceased, the group pressed forward, hurrying to catch up with Nancy, who had surged ahead with Kendra and Robin. As they walked, Isadora's attention was drawn to a nearby house, standing eerily in the distance. Her breath caught in her throat as realisation struck her—it wasn't just any house. It was the Upside Down version of her mother's house, standing next door to the Wheeler's. She froze mid-step, her eyes widening in disbelief.

"You okay, Is?" Billy's voice was gentle but concerned as he stopped beside her, noticing her sudden halt.

"Y-Yeah," Isadora nodded, though her voice wavered. She tore her gaze away from the dark, decaying shell of her mother's house, shaking her head slightly as if trying to shake off the memories it brought up. Without another word, she followed Billy into the Upside Down version of the Wheeler house. The interior was just as disturbing as the outside—everything was frozen in time, covered in thick dust, decay seeping into every corner.

"Might be time to get a maid, Wheeler," Robin joked, trying to inject some humour into the unsettling situation.

Nancy, however, wasn't in the mood. "Come on, we don't want to stay here any longer than we have to," she said sharply, her eyes darting around, clearly anxious to move on.

Isadora nodded, falling in step behind the group as they made their way upstairs, but just as she reached the top, she noticed Steve had stopped walking. He stood still, his head cocked slightly as if listening for something no one else could hear.

"Uh, Steve? What are you doing?" Isadora asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"Shh—" Steve hushed her, holding up his hand to silence her.

"What...?" Isadora started to ask, but then she heard it too—a voice, faint and distant, but unmistakably familiar. Her heart skipped a beat as she recognised it.

"Dustin?" she called out, her voice rising with hope and disbelief.

"Dustin! Dustin! Can you hear me?!" Steve yelled, stepping forward, his eyes wide with urgency.

Isadora joined in, her voice filled with desperation. "Dustin!"

"Come on, answer us!" Steve yelled, his voice growing more desperate.

Nancy and the others, who had been further ahead, now turned and stared at Steve and Isadora with puzzled expressions. "What are you two doing?" Nancy asked, confusion etched across her face.

"He's here!" Steve said excitedly, turning to the group. "Henderson, that little shit, he's here! It's like... he's in the walls or something. Just listen!"

The group fell silent, and for a moment, there was nothing, but then, Dustin's voice echoed faintly again, barely discernible. Isadora's heart pounded as the realisation hit them—Dustin was there, somehow, and they needed to reach him.

"I heard it too," Isadora said, nodding in confirmation as Steve continued shouting Dustin's name. Soon, the entire group was calling out to him, desperate to make contact, but no matter how loudly they yelled, Dustin didn't seem to hear them—or worse, he was ignoring them altogether.

"Alright, either he can't hear us, or he's being a total douchebag," Steve muttered, frustration creeping into his voice.

"Will found a way," Kendra said suddenly, breaking the tension.

Steve blinked at her. "What?"

"Will found a way to talk to Joyce through the lights," Kendra explained quickly.

"Lights?" Robin asked, furrowing her brow.

"That's actually brilliant," Kendra said, her tone excited as the group moved into action. They began flicking light switches, hoping to use the lights to send a message to Dustin.

"It's not working!" Nancy snapped, frustration clear in her voice.

"Guys, you seeing this?" Steve asked, his voice tinged with awe as he stared at the chandelier in the centre of the room.

Isadora followed his gaze and gasped softly. Small, twinkling lights had begun to gather around the chandelier, dancing softly in the air like fireflies. She moved closer, mesmerised, and reached out her hand to touch the lights. The moment her fingers brushed them, she smiled in wonder.

"Wow," she whispered. "It... tickles."

"It feels kinda nice," Steve added, equally mesmerised by the glittering lights.

Robin grinned, her fingers also reaching for the lights. "Yeah, I could get used to this."

Nancy, ever practical, shook her head. "Does anyone know Morse code?" she asked, her voice filled with urgency.

"No," most of the group answered simultaneously.

"Does SOS count?" Eddie asked with a hopeful grin.

"I was just about to suggest that," Isadora said, laughing as she lowered her hand. "I know a little Morse code. My dad taught me." She glanced at Billy, who looked at her with raised eyebrows, clearly impressed.

"Really? Never knew that about you, Is," Billy said with a proud smile.

Isadora shrugged with a grin. "I've got a few surprises up my sleeve."

The group worked together, waving their hands to send an SOS signal through the lights. It wasn't long before Robin, her eyes wide, exclaimed, "It's working!"

Isadora's heart lifted as Dustin's voice became clearer, finally cutting through the noise. Dustin outlined his plan to communicate with them, and the group quickly moved into a nearby bedroom, gathering around to listen closely.

"I can't believe this is real," Billy muttered, standing close to Isadora, his hand brushing against hers.

"Neither can I," Isadora whispered, her gaze fixed on the lights.

As Dustin spoke, Nancy began writing messages back. Each message was a lifeline, proof that they weren't alone in this nightmare. As Dustin explained his theory about the gates, the group exchanged looks, the puzzle pieces slowly clicking into place.

"How far is your trailer?" Nancy asked Eddie.

"Seven miles," Eddie replied, his voice tinged with determination.

"Hey, Nancy, I know your house is all weird and creepily stuck in time here, but didn't you always have bikes?" Robin asked, raising an eyebrow. Nancy nodded in response.

Isadora smiled, hope swelling in her chest. It wasn't over. They weren't trapped. With Dustin's help and a plan coming together, they could find a way out of the Upside Down. They would get back to their dimension, regroup, and then they would come for Vecna, and they would save Max.

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Another chapter finally updated.

Enjoy! Xo

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