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A COLD SHIVER SNAKED DOWN ISADORA'S SPINE AS SHE CAUTIOUSLY MADE HER WAY THROUGH THE DARK, CREAKING HALLS OF THE CREEL HOUSE.

Every step echoed in the empty, decaying mansion, amplifying the eerie silence that seemed to press in from all sides. The place was steeped in unsettling memories, none more haunting than the time she had hidden here after the school dance, terrified and alone. She hated this place—its dark corners, its shadows that seemed to move on their own—but tonight, they had no choice. This was where the final battle would begin, and they had to be here.

The plan they'd concocted was dangerous, borderline suicidal, and every part of Isadora screamed at her to run. She knew the odds. Failure wasn't just a possibility; it was a distinct, horrifying reality that lurked at the edges of her thoughts. If they failed, Vecna would kill her. Worse, he would kill them all, and Hawkins—and the rest of the world—would fall into his hands. The thought sent a new wave of terror washing over her, but she pushed it down, knowing she couldn't afford to show fear. Not now. Not when so much was at stake. She glanced around the dimly lit space and whispered a silent prayer that her friends would be able to stop him before it was too late.

The house itself seemed to feed on their fear. The air felt heavier here, as if the very walls were breathing, alive with the dark energy of the past. Every floorboard creaked under her boots, each groan of the old house making her nerves stand on edge, but this place was crucial. If their plan was going to work, they needed to find Vecna, and the only way to do that was through the lights. Each of them carried a lantern, their only means of navigating the oppressive darkness and tracking the malevolent force that lurked within the shadows.

Isadora lifted her lantern higher, its dim glow barely cutting through the gloom. Her fingers trembled around the handle as her pulse quickened. She hated feeling like this—vulnerable, afraid—but there was no time to dwell on it. The lantern's light flickered slightly, casting dancing shadows on the cracked wallpaper and peeling paint as she moved forward, her breath catching in her throat with every step.

Suddenly, a figure appeared in the distance, and Isadora tensed. It was Erica, holding up a piece of paper with a hurried scrawl. Isadora's heart skipped a beat as she read the note.

Found Vecna.

Her stomach twisted with dread, but she gave Erica a sharp nod and followed her through the labyrinthine halls to the others. The group had gathered in a large, dilapidated room, where the air felt thick with an unnatural energy. Lucas, Max, Ellie, and Beatrix stood in tense silence, their faces pale and eyes wide. Isadora could feel the weight of their shared fear hanging in the air, but there was also something else—determination. They all knew what was at stake.

As Isadora stepped into the room, she noticed the lights pulsating faintly. The rhythmic flicker sent a jolt of unease through her, and when she lifted her lantern, the faint buzzing in her hand confirmed her worst fear—Vecna was close. Too close. Her breath hitched in her throat, and she could feel her palms growing clammy around the handle of the lantern. She glanced over her shoulder at the group, her eyes locking with Lucas's. His jaw was set, and he gave her a curt nod, the unspoken message clear: we're ready.

Erica quickly scribbled something on her notepad, then turned and slipped out of the room without a word. Isadora watched her go, her heart hammering in her chest. Phase One was about to begin. They were committed now, no turning back.

As the younger Sinclair sibling disappeared into the shadows, Isadora turned her gaze back to the pulsating lights. The room was thick with an oppressive tension, and for a moment, all she could hear was the blood rushing in her ears. She gripped her lantern tighter, her knuckles turning white as she fought to keep her breathing steady. This was it—the moment they had been preparing for, the culmination of weeks of planning, and it was all about to unfold.

She looked down at her buzzing lantern, its faint hum vibrating in her hand. Phase One was commencing, and with it, the battle for Hawkins—and for their lives. Every fibre of her being screamed with the weight of what was coming, the uncertainty of whether they would survive it, but she knew they had no choice. If they didn't stop Vecna here, now, there would be no second chance.

~*~

Billy hated this plan with every fibre of his being.

He knew the stakes—how dangerous it was, how slim their chances of success were. The thought of something going wrong filled him with a gnawing anxiety he couldn't shake. It wasn't just the looming battle with Vecna or the eerie, soul-crushing dread that always came with being in the Upside Down. It was the cold, hard reality that Isadora was directly in the line of fire. If they failed, Vecna would kill her. And that? That was something Billy could not, would not, allow to happen.

The woods pressed in around them as he followed Steve, Eddie, Nancy, Robin, and Kendra along the shadowy, twisted path toward the old playground where they were supposed to meet Erica. Billy's eyes flicked warily from tree to tree, his senses on high alert for any sign of danger. He hated this place—the Upside Down was like a living nightmare, a twisted reflection of the real world that never stopped reminding him of how wrong everything could go. The air here felt heavy, oppressive, as if the darkness itself was alive and watching them. Every step felt like a step deeper into a trap. He couldn't wait for this to be over, to never have to set foot in this hellscape again.

"This place is so creepy," Billy muttered, his voice barely above a whisper. He glanced at Kendra walking beside him, then at the others ahead. They were all tense, shoulders tight, faces pale. The same unspoken worry was etched across all their faces. They knew what was coming, what they had to do. And yet, there was a quiet dread hanging over them like a storm cloud.

Just as Billy's thoughts began to spiral, Robin's voice broke through the silence. "Uh... I don't mean to freak anyone out, but I swear we've passed this tree before."

Steve shot her a sharp look. "That's impossible."

Robin shrugged, though her eyes darted around nervously. "I mean... it would suck, right? If Vecna ended the world because we got lost in the woods?"

The group went quiet for a moment. Billy's stomach churned at the thought. He hadn't even considered that—getting lost, fumbling their way to failure. Kendra, walking just beside him, noticed the way his face paled. She understood. To Billy, getting lost in these woods wasn't just a minor inconvenience; it was the potential death sentence of everything they were fighting for. If Vecna won, it wouldn't just be the end of the world. It would be the end of Isadora.

"We're not lost," Nancy said quickly, though her voice had a hard edge to it as if trying to reassure herself. "Robin, keep an eye out for the vines. Hive mind."

"I know, I know!" Robin called back, hurriedly stepping over a cluster of dark, writhing vines. "I just have a bad feeling, you know?"

Billy swallowed hard and turned to Kendra, his voice barely more than a rough whisper. "We're not lost, right?"

Kendra met his gaze, her expression softening as she gave him a small, reassuring smile. "No, Billy. We're not lost." She reached over, giving his arm a squeeze. "And if you're worried about Isa, don't be. She's not moving on to the next phase until we give the signal. Isadora isn't reckless. She won't take unnecessary risks."

"I hope you're right," Billy said, his voice tight with emotion. "I can't lose her, Kendra. She's... she's my best friend. My other half. I don't know what I'd do without her." His throat tightened as he continued, the words coming out in a rush. "Before I met Isadora, I didn't think I was capable of falling in love. Not really. I didn't think I was even capable of feeling that way about someone, but then she came into my life, and she's so... kind, so caring. She made me want to be better, for her. Now I can't imagine my life without her, and—" He paused, struggling to keep his voice steady. "Now I might lose her."

Kendra's heart ached as she listened. She could see how much Billy had changed, how much Isadora meant to him. "You're not going to lose her, Billy. I won't let that happen. None of us will."

Billy's eyes flickered with gratitude, but also with fear. Kendra knew him too well, knew he was always someone who feared losing the things he loved most. "When I first realised Isadora liked you, I have to admit, I wasn't happy about it," Kendra said, her tone lightening. "I thought you'd hurt her. I thought you were just some guy looking for a fling. At first, it even seemed like Isadora didn't want to have anything to do with you."

Billy let out a bitter laugh, shaking his head at the memory. "Yeah, I thought the same. When I first met her, she seemed so uninterested. Completely shut me down." A small smile tugged at his lips. "Before her, I wasn't used to that. Girls didn't usually ignore me, but with Isadora ... she was different. She wasn't like anyone I'd ever met."

Kendra raised an eyebrow, a knowing smile playing at her lips. "From what I heard, you asked her to sleep with you the first time you met."

Billy chuckled, the memory still stinging a bit. "Yeah, not my proudest moment, but she shut me down fast. She wasn't interested, and for some reason, that intrigued me. She made me want to know more about her, to get close to her." His voice softened as he continued. "I think that's when I started to fall for her."

"You know," Kendra said, "I honestly thought you were just going to hook up with her and then break her heart. I didn't think you'd stick around."

"At first, I thought it was just going to be a hook-up, too," Billy admitted. "But there was something different about her. The more time I spent with her, the more I wanted to be around her. I wanted to know her, really know her."

"She really liked you," Kendra said, her voice soft. "And I ... well, I kind of hated it. I was protective of her."

Billy looked at her curiously. "What changed?"

Kendra smiled. "You did. I still remember the time you came to me, asking for help to fix things with her. You admitted you loved her, and I was shocked, but then I saw how hard you were trying, how much you wanted to be better for her. I see how you look at her now, with so much love in your eyes. You became a better person for her, Billy."

Billy's heart swelled at her words. He looked down, the weight of his emotions hitting him hard. "I want to marry her one day, Kendra, when all of this is over."

Kendra stopped walking and turned to him, her eyes wide with surprise. "You do?"

"Yeah," Billy said quietly. "I do. She's my family. I want to spend the rest of my life with her. I want to wake up every morning with her by my side."

Kendra smiled warmly, her heart melting at his words. Before she could respond, Robin came hurrying back toward them, waving her arms excitedly. "Hey, guys! Good news! Looks like we weren't going the wrong way after all. Come on!"

Billy and Kendra exchanged a look before following her, their hearts lighter than before.

"Robin, slow down!" Steve called after her, but the group pressed on, the tension lifting slightly as they neared their destination. Finally, the looming silhouette of the Creel House appeared in the distance, its dark outline stark against the twisted, crimson sky. They had made it.

As they approached the playground, Erica came into view, standing near the old, rusted swings. The group shared a quiet moment of relief, knowing they had reached the next step of the plan.

"Erica," Steve said, nodding in her direction.

Nancy glanced at the group. "All right, let's get ready for phase two."

Billy's heart pounded as he looked toward the Creel House. He knew what phase two meant—Isadora was about to lure Vecna. As much as he hated the thought of her being in danger, he prayed, deep down, that their plan would work, because if it didn't, the consequences would be unbearable. He couldn't lose her. Not now. Not ever.

~*~

Isadora hated waiting. The slow, creeping dread that came with the silence of anticipation gnawed at her insides, making it harder to keep calm. Every minute that passed felt like an eternity, and the longer she sat there, the more her anxiety grew, coiling tighter around her like an invisible chain. She could feel it in every part of her body—the tightness in her chest, the constant tapping of her fingers against her leg, the gnawing thoughts that refused to let her rest.

Waiting for the signal was agony, far worse than anything else they had done so far. She knew how fragile their plan was, how easily it could crumble if one thing went wrong. The stakes were too high to ignore the risks. If any phase of the plan failed, everything they had worked for would be lost. Hawkins would fall. The world would fall, and Isadora couldn't—wouldn't—let that happen.

But right now, all she could do was sit and wait in the suffocating silence of the old house, staring out the window into the dark night. The air was heavy with tension, as though the house itself knew what was at stake. Beside her, Beatrix sat quietly, her presence a quiet comfort, though neither of them had said much since they arrived. There wasn't much to say—only to wait.

Isadora sighed softly, her breath fogging the cold glass as she stared out into the night. The darkness outside seemed endless, stretching far beyond what the eye could see. It was hard to tell if the shadows were playing tricks on her or if something out there was watching them, waiting. The stillness made her uneasy. She was used to action, to movement. Sitting still and waiting for something to happen left her with too much time to think.

Without a word, Beatrix nudged her gently, pulling her from her thoughts. Isadora turned to look at her friend, who offered her a soft, reassuring smile before picking up her notepad. Beatrix scribbled something quickly, then turned the pad toward her.

Hi, Issi :)

Isadora couldn't help but smile, the tension in her chest loosening just a little. It was a simple gesture, but it reminded her she wasn't alone in this. She flipped open her own notepad, the one she had been clutching in her lap, and quickly wrote a reply.

Hi, Bea :)

Their eyes met, and for a moment, the worry that had been weighing on Isadora's heart eased. Beatrix's smile was like a small ray of light in the darkness that surrounded them. It was a reminder that even in the worst moments, they still had each other.

Isadora started writing again, her brow furrowed in concentration. Beatrix watched curiously as her friend's pen moved quickly across the page. When Isadora finally turned the notepad toward her, the words made Beatrix's heart swell.

I'm really glad you're here with me. I don't know if I could've done this alone.

Beatrix swallowed hard, touched by the sentiment. She smiled weakly as she scribbled her own response.

I wouldn't let you do this alone, Isadora.

As Beatrix started scribbling something else on her notepad, Isadora leaned forward, trying to peek at what she was writing. Beatrix quickly pulled the pad away, laughing softly as she hid it from view. Isadora made a face, mock-pouting at her friend's secrecy, which only made Beatrix laugh more. Finally, with a grin, Beatrix turned the pad toward her, revealing the next message.

Once this is all over, we should have a girls' night.

Isadora chuckled softly, the tension easing just a little as she imagined it—something normal, something simple. A girls' night. She picked up her pen and, without much thought, doodled a rough, childlike drawing of a group of girls laughing together. It wasn't much—just a few stick figures with exaggerated smiles—but it brought a smile to Beatrix's face, and that was enough for Isadora.

Just as the warmth of their playful exchange settled over them, a sudden flash of light caught their attention. Both girls froze, their hearts leaping into their throats as they turned toward the window. The tension that had momentarily eased came rushing back, sharp and cold. Erica was signaling to them from the playground, the agreed-upon sign that it was time to move forward.

Isadora felt her pulse quicken as she and Beatrix exchanged a look. This was it. The signal they had been waiting for, the moment they had been dreading and preparing for. As Lucas, Ellie, and Max joined them by the window, the weight of what was about to happen settled over the group like a heavy blanket. Isadora nodded in acknowledgment, her stomach churning with nervous anticipation as she watched Lucas signal back to Erica.

This was it—phase two.

Phase two was the most dangerous part of the plan, the phase where Isadora would have to lure Vecna into a trap. She could feel the enormity of it bearing down on her, the uncertainty of what lay ahead. One wrong move, one mistake, and it would all be over, but she couldn't afford to think like that. They had come too far. Too much was at stake.

She took a deep breath, steadying herself, her hands trembling slightly as she gripped her notepad. She glanced at Beatrix, who gave her a supportive nod, her eyes filled with quiet determination. Isadora forced a smile, though her heart was pounding. This was the moment they had been waiting for, the moment where everything would be decided.

There was no turning back now. It was time to distract Vecna.

~*~

"Okay, they've copied. Isadora's moving into phase two—distracting Vecna," Erica said, her voice calm but carrying the weight of what those words truly meant. The group stood huddled in the Upside Down, the oppressive atmosphere around them mirroring the growing tension. Billy's whole body went rigid. The moment the words left Erica's mouth, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His mind raced, caught between a desperate urge to stop Isadora and the cold reality that it was already too late. She had made her move. She was already in the thick of it.

For a fleeting second, his heart screamed at him to turn back, to do anything to halt this madness. There has to be another way, he thought, but he knew that wasn't true. There wasn't time to come up with another plan. Isadora had committed to phase two, and everything was in motion now. Billy could feel the weight of it bearing down on him—the unstoppable momentum of a plan that had already taken flight, and the terrifying knowledge that it all rested on Isadora putting herself in harm's way.

"So far, so smooth," Robin chimed in, though the forced optimism in her voice barely masked the underlying tension.

"Yeah, but we're not even at the hard part yet," Steve added, his eyes narrowing as he glanced at the Creel House, looming dark and menacing in the distance.

Billy's eyes followed Steve's gaze, locking onto the eerie silhouette of the Creel House as bats swarmed around it like a sinister vortex. A shiver ran through him, and his stomach knotted with anxiety. Something about the way those bats moved, the way the house seemed to pulse with its own malevolent energy, made his skin crawl. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was wrong, terribly wrong.

"Uh... which part of the plan is the hard part?" Billy asked, his voice low, barely masking his rising dread.

Kendra, who had been standing quietly beside him, sighed heavily. She turned to face him, her expression a mirror of his own inner turmoil. She'd been strong throughout this entire ordeal, but even she couldn't hide her worry now.

"Every part of this plan is hard, Billy," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "Every single phase is a risk, and if we mess up—even once—this whole thing falls apart. There's no margin for error. If we fail at any point, the plan fails, and Vecna wins."

Billy's heart sank at her words. He had known from the beginning how dangerous this was, but hearing it laid out like that made the fear feel more real, more suffocating. He glanced back at the Creel House, his eyes narrowing as the bats continued their unnatural dance in the sky. His mind raced, trying to picture what was happening on the other side of the dimensional divide. Was Isadora scared? Was she okay? The not knowing was killing him.

He had always hated feeling powerless, and now, more than ever, that feeling consumed him. He could do nothing but stand here, in this twisted reflection of the world, and hope. Hope that Isadora was strong enough, smart enough, fast enough to pull off what she needed to do, but hope felt fragile, like a thin thread stretched too tight. One wrong move, one misstep, and it could all snap.

Billy exhaled sharply, the tension in his chest making it hard to breathe. She has to be okay. He repeated the thought over and over in his head like a mantra, as if willing it to be true could somehow protect her. He knew Isadora was capable—stronger than most gave her credit for, but the fear gnawed at him, relentless and insidious. If anything happened to her...

He clenched his fists tighter. No. She'll be fine. She has to be.

But the thought that maybe he should have done something—anything—to stop her before this point gnawed at him. If he had known how dangerous this would be, if he had seen the full scope of what they were walking into, maybe he could have convinced her to come up with another plan. Or at least delayed it, long enough to find a way to keep her safe, but now, it was out of his hands.

"Do you think..." Billy began, his voice hesitant, unsure if he even wanted the answer, "do you think there was another way? A different plan?"

Kendra met his gaze, her eyes soft but resolute. "We've gone over every possible option, Billy. You know that. This is the only way we have a chance of stopping Vecna. Isadora knew the risks, and she chose to do this because it's what has to be done. We all did."

Billy nodded slowly, though the ache in his chest only deepened. "I just... I can't lose her, Kendra. She's everything to me. I know she can handle herself, but... if something goes wrong, I don't know what I'll do."

Kendra placed a hand on his arm, squeezing gently. "I know, but you have to trust her. Isadora's one of the smartest, strongest people I know. She's got this."

Billy wanted to believe her, but the weight of his doubt lingered. He swallowed hard, looking back toward the Creel House. It felt like an eternity had passed since they'd first arrived here, and with every second, the knot in his stomach tightened. His eyes followed the movement of the bats again, unease crawling up his spine. Something about the house felt alive, as if it were watching them, waiting.

He thought of Isadora again, moving into phase two—distracting Vecna. The image of her facing that monster, alone, without him by her side, made his heart race. He had fought so hard to become the person she deserved, to change for her. The idea of losing her now, after everything, was unbearable.

If only he had known the truth, maybe then, he could have stopped her, kept her from putting herself in danger like this. Maybe then, they could have found a way to fight Vecna without risking her life.

The silence stretched on as Billy stared into the distance, his mind swirling with worry and regret. He couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to go horribly wrong, and the worst part was, there was nothing he could do to stop it.

He clenched his fists again, his jaw tightening as he whispered under his breath, "Please, Issi ... come back to me."

~*~

Isadora glanced between her friends, a mixture of determination and fear in her eyes. She knelt to tie her shoelaces, making sure everything was in place before grabbing one of the lanterns. Holding it out in front of her, its dim glow lighting the path ahead, she began to walk. She soon found another lantern, pulsating faintly in the distance. Isadora paused, looking back at her friends one more time, giving them a firm nod before making her way into the room.

"I know I'm not the one you wanted," she called out into the oppressive silence. "But I'm here, asshole. No music, no games. I know you can probably hear me, so what are you waiting for? Come on—do you want me or not?"

The lantern in front of her buzzed loudly for a moment, the sound making her heart jump, before the light flickered and faded out. The one in her hand began to buzz in response, vibrating slightly in her grip. Isadora hesitated, a moment of doubt flickering in her mind, before pushing herself forward. The light led her upstairs, each step heavier than the last, as if the air in the house was growing thicker with every movement. Beatrix, Max, Ellie, and Lucas followed closely behind her, their footsteps nearly silent. The tension in the air was suffocating.

As Isadora stepped into the attic, her heart raced, thundering in her chest. The light in the lantern she held grew brighter, almost too bright to look at. She glanced at Beatrix, the fear mirrored in her friend's eyes, before turning back to the lantern as its light began to dim, slowly fading away.

"Come on, what are you waiting for?" Isadora shouted into the dark room. "I'm right here, and I know you can hear me. I know you can read my thoughts—all of them. Even the worst ones. Maybe you mostly read the worst ones."

She set the lantern down carefully and lowered herself to the ground in front of it, crossing her legs. The silence was deafening, the only sound the shallow breath she forced herself to take. Beatrix and Max exchanged uncertain glances, wondering what Isadora was going to say, what words she'd use to draw Vecna to her. They moved closer, listening intently as Isadora's voice trembled but remained strong.

"I've been thinking about what you said," she began, her voice low. "About how it was my fault that Laura died. I thought you were just trying to hurt me, trying to make me angry, but you weren't, were you? You were telling the truth." Her voice broke for a moment as she swallowed the rising emotion. "She died because of me. Just like my dad, my sister, even my mum—they all died because of me, and you already knew that, didn't you? You already knew my mum died because of me."

Her friends remained silent, their eyes glued to Isadora as she confessed more than she ever had before.

"I used to be so mad at her for making us move to Hawkins. I hated her for it. And sometimes, when I was lying in bed at night, I'd pray that something would happen to her—something awful. I just wanted her to suffer, the way I felt like I was suffering. And that morning, I told her..." She paused, tears welling in her eyes. "I told her I wished she was dead. I just wanted to hurt her, and then... then it happened."

The room seemed to tighten around her as the words left her mouth, the confession hanging heavy in the air.

"Laura," she continued, her voice now shaking, "I was so upset with her, and part of me... part of me just wanted her to disappear." Isadora's eyes brimmed with tears as she forced herself to continue. "I've been trying to forgive myself for it, but I can't. I pray now, every night, that something will happen to me instead. Something terrible. Maybe that's why I'm here, why I'm doing this, because I know... my friends would be safer without me. They'd be better off if I wasn't around. So just take me, okay? Make me disappear."

Beatrix, who had been listening quietly, finally broke the silence, her voice laced with confusion and concern. "Is that all true? You wanted your mum to die? You wanted Laura to die?"

Isadora's head snapped up to look at her, blinking through her tears. "Why are you talking?" she asked, startled by the sudden question. Her voice was trembling now, her composure slipping.

"Have you ever had thoughts like that about me? About any of us?" Beatrix asked, her eyes searching Isadora's face for answers.

"What? No!" Isadora stammered, standing up quickly, her heart pounding. "No, Beatrix, never."

Beatrix's eyes narrowed, her voice suddenly cold and cutting. "Normal people don't fantasise about killing others, Isadora. You realise that, right?"

"Beatrix, please," Isadora begged, her voice cracking as tears streamed down her face. "I never wanted—"

"I thought you were getting better," Beatrix interrupted, her voice growing harsher, "but you're not, are you? You're sick."

"Beatrix, you don't mean that," Isadora sobbed, stepping toward her friend, desperate for reassurance, but there was none.

"Maybe it's good that he takes you," Beatrix said, her voice suddenly laced with something darker, something sinister. "Maybe it's for the best."

Isadora's breath caught in her throat as she heard the words. Beatrix's voice was changing, distorting. It was no longer just Beatrix speaking—it was Vecna.

"In fact," Beatrix's voice blended with Vecna's as it deepened, cold and cruel, "I'm glad it's going to be you. You'll be the chosen one. The fourth. The final sacrifice. It's going to be you that breaks the world."

In that chilling moment, Isadora realised her plan had worked. Vecna had taken the bait, and now, it was all about surviving what came next.

~*~

"Issi," Max whispered softly, placing the Walkman gently beside Isadora before sitting down next to her. She slipped her hand into Isadora's, squeezing it tightly. "I don't know if you can hear me right now, but I need you to know—we wouldn't be better off without you. We need you, Issi. Please, hold him off for as long as you can. I know you can do it."

Max's voice trembled, but she kept her grip firm on Isadora's hand, hoping that somehow, her words would reach her friend. The stillness around them was unnerving, the tension in the air so thick it was hard to breathe.

Beatrix crouched down beside them, her eyes scanning Isadora's face. The whites of Isadora's eyes were visible, her body still, locked in the trance. Beatrix waved a hand in front of her face to make sure, then sighed deeply, her own hand gently squeezing Isadora's limp one. "It worked," Beatrix murmured, her voice thick with worry.

Ellie stood nearby, her eyes wide with anxious hope. "Yeah... it worked," she echoed softly, watching as Beatrix nodded in confirmation. All of them knew what that meant. Isadora had successfully lured Vecna into focusing on her, just as planned. Now, they had to hope she could keep him distracted long enough for the others to get to his lair and end this nightmare.

Beatrix glanced at the others, praying silently that Isadora had the strength to hold out. This was the most dangerous part of the plan—where everything could either come together or fall apart. Her stomach churned at the thought of what Isadora might be facing in her mind, alone against Vecna.

Meanwhile, Lucas hurried to the window, his hands trembling slightly as he signalled to Erica, who was waiting in the distance. The signal was clear: the plan had worked. Isadora had drawn Vecna to her. It was time for phase three.

As Lucas lowered his hand from the window, he turned back to the others. The weight of what they had to do pressed down on him like a heavy stone. There was no turning back now. All they could do was trust that Isadora would hold out, that she would survive long enough for them to finish what they had started.

Phase three had begun.

~*~

Isadora backed away, her breath quickening as Vecna advanced toward her, his presence oppressive and overwhelming. She knew the plan—to keep him distracted for as long as she could, buying time for the others, but fear gnawed at her, and the only strategy she had now was to run. She had to keep moving, to stay ahead of him, no matter what.

"Isadora, where are you going?" Vecna's voice echoed through the room, cold and mocking. "Don't be scared."

Her heart pounded in her chest as she took another step back. "Stay away from me!" she shouted, her voice trembling, but she kept her eyes locked on him, refusing to show any more fear.

Vecna sneered, his voice rising with a twisted kind of amusement. "Isadora, I thought you were ready—ready to disappear! Isn't that what you wanted?"

"I said, stay away!" Isadora yelled, her voice firmer now as she felt the adrenaline kick in. Her eyes darted around, searching for anything she could use to defend herself. Her hand grasped a heavy object nearby, and without thinking, she swung it toward Vecna. He barely flinched, but it gave her the split second she needed.

Without hesitating, Isadora turned on her heel and sprinted toward the stairs, her legs moving as fast as they could. Her heart thundered in her ears as she raced down the stairs, her breath coming in quick, sharp bursts. She didn't dare look back—she couldn't. She had to find a way out, to keep running, to survive.

Her mind raced alongside her, desperately searching for an escape route from the house that felt more like a trap with each passing second. She could hear Vecna's footsteps behind her, slow but relentless, and his voice echoed through the halls like a shadow chasing her down.

But she wasn't going to stop. Not yet. Not until she had done everything she could to buy her friends the time they needed.

~*~

If there was one thing Eleven Hopper knew for certain, it was that she needed to be with Isadora right now. She had to protect her from Vecna, and she wouldn't let anything stop her. Without hesitation, Eleven walked over to where Isadora sat, the distant, vacant look in her eyes betraying the trance she was trapped in. Eleven sat down beside her, gently taking her hand.

"Isadora, it's okay. I'm coming," Eleven whispered, her voice soft but filled with determination. "Just hold on a little longer." She squeezed Isadora's hand, trying to send her strength, to let her feel she wasn't alone in this.

Taking a deep breath, Eleven closed her eyes, focusing on the steady rhythm of her heartbeat as she dove deeper into her thoughts. She reached for the memories they shared, letting them guide her like a beacon. Slowly, flashes of Isadora's past flickered in her mind—moments from her childhood, her struggles, and her fears. As the images swirled, Eleven felt herself slipping into Isadora's mind.

When she opened her eyes, she wasn't sitting beside Isadora anymore. She was standing on a sunlit beach, the soft rush of waves and laughter of children filling the air. Confusion flickered across her face as she took in the unfamiliar surroundings.

"What's happening now?" Mike's voice crackled in her ear, distant but urgent.

"I think I'm in a memory," Eleven replied, her voice laced with concentration. "An Isadora memory."

She began walking across the sand, her eyes scanning the beach for any sign of her friend. People strolled along the shore, children splashed in the water, but none of them were Isadora. Eleven's steps quickened, her eyes darting from face to face.

"Do you see her? Is she there?" Hazel's voice echoed in the background, tinged with hope and worry.

"No... not yet," Eleven murmured, her brow furrowed in frustration. "But she has to be here. She has to be."

Determined, Eleven pressed on, weaving through the crowd, knowing that somewhere within this memory, Isadora was waiting for her. She just had to find her before Vecna did.

~*~

"Okay, she's in. Initiate phase three," Erica called to the group in the Upside Down, her voice sharp and focused. Billy and Kendra exchanged a tense glance as Robin grabbed her walkie-talkie, relaying the message to Dustin on the other end.

"She's in, initiate phase three," Robin repeated, her voice steady despite the gravity of what was unfolding.

"Copy that, initiating phase three," Dustin's voice crackled back through the radio.

Billy stood still for a moment, his mind racing. "She did it," he said quietly, more to himself than anyone else, as the reality sank in. Isadora had lured Vecna, just as planned.

Kendra glanced over at him and nodded, her eyes filled with worry. She could see the strain etched on Billy's face—the tension in his jaw, the furrow of his brow. She prayed silently that their plan would work, that Isadora would be able to keep Vecna distracted long enough for the group to destroy him. The weight of their uncertainty hung thick in the air.

Suddenly, there was movement. The bats that had been circling the Creel House screeched as they began to scatter, flying off into the dark sky. It was the signal they'd been waiting for.

Nancy turned to the group, nodding decisively. "Okay, it's working. Let's go."

Without hesitation, the group moved, following Nancy away from the playground and toward the Creel House, their pace quickening with every step. The closer they got, the heavier the air seemed to feel, thick with the knowledge of what they were about to face.

Billy trailed behind for just a second, his gaze fixed on the distant house as he whispered to himself, "Hold on just a little longer, Is. We're coming." His voice was barely audible, but his heart carried the weight of the plea. He prayed with everything he had that Isadora could hold Vecna off long enough for them to breach the house and finish this. There was no room for mistakes. This was their one shot, and he needed her to hold on.

As they approached the Creel House, Billy's heart pounded in his chest, his thoughts consumed by Isadora and the hope that she could keep Vecna occupied just long enough for them to burn the house—and Vecna—down for good.

~*~

Isadora bolted down the stairs, her heart pounding in her chest as she made a beeline for the nearest door. She yanked it open, only to be met with a solid wall of boards. She groaned in frustration, slamming her fist against the barrier before desperately tugging at the planks, hoping beyond hope that she could somehow pull them free and escape.

"Where are you going, Isadora?" Vecna's voice echoed through the hall, sending a cold shiver down her spine.

Isadora glanced over her shoulder and saw him descending the stairs, his ominous form closing in on her. Panic surged through her, and she spun on her heel, sprinting down the hallway, praying for an escape. The lights above flickered erratically, casting eerie shadows along the walls. Isadora barely glanced up at them before reaching another door. She flung it open, but it was boarded up as well.

"Dammit!" she muttered, pulling frantically on the boards, but they wouldn't budge.

With no time to waste, she darted down the hall again, her breath coming in shallow gasps. Another door came into view, and she threw herself at it, hoping for a way out, but when she opened it, she jumped back in horror. The flayed version of Billy slammed against the door, his face twisted in agony and rage. Isadora froze, her mind racing as the horrifying memories of Billy's possession by the Mind Flayer came rushing back, overwhelming her senses.

"Isadora, let me out of here!" Billy shouted, his voice desperate, his flayed body thrashing against the door.

"No... no, this isn't real," Isadora whispered, shaking her head in disbelief, trying to convince herself this was another one of Vecna's tricks.

"Open the door, Isadora!" Billy shouted again, his voice raw with panic as he pounded on the door. Isadora's breath hitched as she took a step back, her eyes darting around the room, searching for another escape, but everywhere she turned, she found herself trapped. Her heart sank.

Suddenly, the window behind her shattered, and she flinched, turning to see the flayed Billy still slamming himself against the door, the sound of splintering wood growing louder with every hit.

"No, this... this isn't real," Isadora cried, her voice shaking as she tried to push back the rising tide of panic. She knew she needed to think of something, anything, to pull herself out of Vecna's grip. A happy memory—that's what she needed. She squeezed her eyes shut, forcing herself to block out Billy's agonised shouts as she searched her mind for something that could save her.

"Isadora, let me out! Isadora!" Billy's voice rang in her ears, but she focused harder, digging deeper.

Suddenly, a memory flashed through her mind—Billy onstage with her, performing You're The One That I Want from Grease. His grin, the lights, the music. Isadora latched onto it, pouring all her energy into that moment.

Just as the flayed Billy managed to break down the door, Isadora opened her eyes and found herself no longer in the haunted house. Instead, she stood in the school auditorium, the same one from that unforgettable night when she and Billy had performed together. The lights, the stage, the warmth of the memory—it was all real.

"Holy shit, it actually worked," she breathed, a smile spreading across her face as she looked around, feeling a sense of control returning to her.

Now, she knew what she had to do. She just needed to keep Vecna distracted long enough for the plan to work, and she would. She had to, for her friends, for Billy, for everyone.

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The next few chapters are seen from multiple POVs to fit with the storyline.

Billy and Kendra casually talking about the first time he met Isadora while everyone else is preparing themselves for the fight of their lives 💀

Enjoy! Xo

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