chapter twelve:
❛ battle of starcourt ❜

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The atmosphere in the mall was electric with chaos as the group arrived. As soon as they stepped out of the car, the unmistakable sound of gunfire and distant shouts filled the air. The mall was crawling with armed Russian soldiers, all taking cover and preparing for what looked like an impending battle. The tension was palpable.

El, at the front of the group, paused, her eyes scanning the situation with a level of focus that no one else could match. Her fists clenched as she took in the sight of the Russians. With a sharp intake of breath, she thrust her hand forward, and immediately, the car behind them began to shake. The air around her seemed to crackle with energy as the car lifted off the ground.

There was no hesitation. With a grunt of effort, El flung her hand upward, sending the car soaring through the air. It flew toward the Russians with terrifying speed. The soldiers barely had time to react before the car smashed into them, obliterating the front line and sending the rest scattering. There was a sickening thud as the car crushed several of them, leaving a few twitching lifelessly on the ground. The rest of the soldiers were either dead or immobilized.

"Atta girl!" Wren exclaimed, his voice a mixture of pride and excitement as he slapped El on the back. He watched the scene with a grin plastered across his face, clearly impressed by El's unrestrained power. "Damn, that was awesome," he muttered to himself.

El stood there, still breathing heavily from the exertion. Her face was stoic, but the faint shake in her hands betrayed the effort it had taken. She exhaled slowly, trying to regain her composure. As she did, Wren turned his head to see Dustin, Steve, Lucas, and Erica poking their heads around the corner of the mall. Their eyes widened in disbelief as they took in the scene.

"There they are!" Dustin's voice rang out, the grin on his face almost too wide to be believable. His eyes darted to Wren, El, and Mike, who had joined them at the front. His excitement bubbled over as he ran toward them, arms outstretched. He pulled all three of them into a hug, squeezing Wren, El, and Mike in a tight bear hug.

The others followed behind, with Wren and Max helping El slowly make her way downstairs. She was clearly exhausted, but her feet were steady as she leaned on Wren for support. They made their way down through the mall, and as they descended, Dustin let go of them, his eyes still wide with astonishment.

"You flung that thing like a Hot Wheel!" Dustin exclaimed, his voice filled with awe. He ran his hand through his hair, laughing. "That was insane, El."

Wren let out a sarcastic chuckle. "Yeah, totally. Just a casual toss, right?" he said, nudging her shoulder playfully. Max, who had been watching quietly, rolled her eyes but couldn't hide the smile that tugged at her lips.

"Man, I'm glad you guys made it. We've had enough Russian chaos for a lifetime," Dustin continued, stepping back and shaking his head as he eyed the destruction El had caused.

"That's... a lot of Russians," Lucas muttered, finally speaking up. His eyes scanned the dead bodies with a mix of disbelief and caution. "What's going on here?"

Erica, who had been watching the group, finally spoke up, but her voice was filled with disbelief. "Lucas?" She walked toward him, her expression serious. "What are you doing here?"

Lucas blinked, his expression bewildered as he looked back at his sister. "What do you mean, what am I doing here? What are you doing here?"

Erica folded her arms, narrowing her eyes. "Ask them. It's their fault."

She pointed toward Dustin, Robin, and Steve. The trio exchanged uncomfortable looks.

Dustin immediately put his hands up in mock surrender. "True, yeah. Totally true. It's absolutely our fault," Steve added, rolling his eyes and giving a dramatic shrug.

Wren couldn't help but laugh, the tension from the earlier fight fading slightly. "Of course, it's your fault," he teased, giving them all a sideways glance. "I can't trust you guys to do anything without messing it up."

"I don't understand what happened to that car," Robin said, her voice full of confusion as she looked at El. "Was that... magic? Superpowers?"

Dustin smiled, proud of the fact he knew the answers. "Oh, yeah. El has superpowers. So does Wren," he explained, and with a grin, Wren teleported right next to Robin to demonstrate. One second, he was standing by El, and the next, he was beside Robin, appearing out of thin air. Robin stumbled back, gasping in surprise.

"Shit! You can teleport?" Steve shouted, his eyes wide with disbelief. He staggered backward, almost tripping over his own feet.

"Yep," Wren replied casually, his grin widening. "Pretty cool, right?"

"Superpowers. El can throw things with her mind. Wren can teleport. Come on, keep up, Steve," Dustin added with a mock-serious tone, as though explaining something incredibly basic. He crossed his arms, his face lit up with the joy of knowing something his friends didn't.

Robin looked between Steve and Wren, her mouth opening and closing in confusion. "I'm sorry? What?"

"El? Who's El?" Erica asked, her brow furrowing. She hadn't been briefed on the situation at all.

Robin's confusion only deepened. "Who's El? I'm still lost here."

Nancy, who had been silently observing the interaction, finally broke in, her voice sharp. "I'm sorry, who are you?" she asked, pointing at Robin, looking suspicious.

"I'm Robin," Robin replied quickly, offering an awkward wave. "I work with Steve... uh, we do surveillance. Top-secret stuff," she added.

"Oh, so you cracked the code?" Dustin grinned, clearly proud of their work.

"Yeah, and that's how we found out about the Russians," Steve added, pointing to the dead soldiers. His voice dropped to a serious tone. "Those guys were Russians."

"Russians? What Russians?" Jonathan asked, frowning as he looked around.

"The Russians!" Steve exclaimed, throwing his arm out dramatically toward the scattered bodies. "Those were Russians."

Max's eyes narrowed as she looked down at the bodies in shock. "Some of them," she said, her voice low.

"Some?" Wren raised an eyebrow, glancing at Dustin, who was still grinning like he'd just won a prize.

"Didn't you hear our 'Code Red?'" Dustin said, almost sarcastically.

"No! You kept going in and out!" Wren snapped, his irritation bubbling up. The group hadn't communicated properly. He wasn't in the mood for more chaos.

"Goddamn low battery!" Dustin exclaimed, frustrated as ever. He waved his arms dramatically.

"How many times do I have to tell you about the low battery?" Steve groaned, placing a hand on his forehead.

"Well, everything worked out, didn't it?" Dustin snapped back, grinning.

"Worked out? We almost died!" Erica shouted, her hands on her hips. "You have no idea what kind of mess we were in!"

"Yeah, but we didn't die, did we?" Dustin fired back, crossing his arms.

At that, El stepped away from the group, her shoulders tense, her eyes distant. Wren, who was always in tune with El's moods, followed her quietly. He placed a hand on her shoulder, his voice soft. "El, are you okay?" he asked, concern lining his tone.

When his fingers brushed against her skin, a strange sensation surged through him. His vision blurred, and the world around him seemed to fold in on itself. His eyes widened as he found himself in a shadowy, twisted version of their world-the upside down.

In front of him, a dark figure materialized, stepping out from the shadows. It was a twisted version of himself, looking eerily similar, but with cold, empty eyes and a twisted grin.

"It's time for you to help, Wren," the clone said, its voice a low, mocking rasp. It was the exact opposite of Wren's voice-a distorted version of everything he feared about himself.

Wren took a step back, his hands forming fists at his sides. "Fuck no! You crazy bitch!" he shouted. His heart pounded in his chest as the clone's laughter echoed in the air.

The clone's laughter was dark and sinister. "We're finally activated through you. After so many months of you using half my power..." it hissed, stepping closer.

Wren's eyes narrowed. His heart raced as the clone lunged toward him, its hands outstretched.

In the next moment, Wren shot forward, fighting against the pull of the darkness. He grappled with the clone, his mind clouded with confusion and rage. But before he could do anything more, the world around him suddenly shattered like glass. He gasped loudly as he woke up, his breath coming in short, panicked bursts.

Dustin's face appeared before him, his hand raised as if he had just slapped him awake. "You okay, dude?" Dustin asked, his voice filled with concern.

Wren blinked rapidly, trying to steady his breathing. As his vision cleared, he saw El standing a few feet away from him, breathing heavily, her face pale. The glass around them was shattered as though an explosion had gone off.

"You saw him, didn't you?" El's voice was calm but filled with a knowing sadness.

"Yeah," Wren replied softly, his voice hoarse. "I did."

Then, out of the shadows, a group of figures appeared. Wren's breath caught when he saw Hopper, Joyce, and another man with them. Hopper locked eyes with Wren, and his face twisted into a scowl.

"Hell no," Hopper muttered, shaking his head. "Not you. You got wrapped up in this shit too?"

Wren smirked, standing up straight and brushing himself off. "What's wrong, Hop? You don't like me?"

"I hate you," Hopper growled, his eyes narrowing. "You were in juvie and caused nothing but trouble. Don't think I've forgotten that."

Wren shrugged nonchalantly, flashing a cocky grin. "Hey, I didn't ask to get pulled into your mess, but here I am."

Joyce shot a glance at Hopper, her brow furrowing in frustration. "We don't have time for this," she said, but Wren could see the tension in her face.

Hopper took another step toward him, face red with barely contained anger. "Well, it's too late now, kid. You're in this whether you like it or not."

Wren just smirked, eyes glinting with something dangerous, as the group readied themselves for what was to come next.

The group gathered in a tight circle, huddled amidst the wreckage of the mall. Broken glass and debris littered the floor around them, casting long shadows in the flickering emergency lights. Tension hung heavy in the air as Mike finally stepped forward, glancing nervously between the adults. His face was pale, his usual confidence replaced with something darker, something that weighed heavily on him.

He took a deep breath before he spoke, his voice steady but subdued. "The Mind Flayer... it built this monster in Hawkins." He paused, letting the words sink in, his gaze shifting to Hopper, then to Joyce, who looked at him with a mix of worry and disbelief. "It built this thing to capture Tilly, to kill El, and to pave a way into our world."

Joyce's face tightened as she processed what he was saying. The idea of the Mind Flayer creating something with such a singular, horrifying purpose struck her with an almost visceral fear. The thought of it targeting their children made her jaw clench as she struggled to keep her composure.

Nancy, standing beside Mike, nodded in agreement, her face set in grim determination. "And it almost did get El," she added, her voice barely above a whisper. Her eyes flicked to El, who stood a few steps away, leaning heavily on Wren, clearly still exhausted. "That was just... one tiny piece of it."

Hopper's brow furrowed as he digested what they were saying. "How big is this thing?" he asked, his tone carrying a rough edge of disbelief. The question seemed almost rhetorical, as if he couldn't quite grasp the scope of what they were facing.

Jonathan answered quietly, his voice strained but resolute. "It's big. Thirty feet, at least." His hands fidgeted at his sides as he spoke, fingers picking at the hem of his shirt as though he could barely stand to talk about it. The memory of the monster's sheer size, its grotesque form, seemed to haunt him even now.

Lucas, standing beside Jonathan, scratched the back of his neck, looking a bit sheepish. "Yeah... it sorta destroyed your cabin," he admitted, his voice almost apologetic. "Sorry," he muttered, glancing up at Hopper, whose face twisted in a mix of annoyance and resignation. Hopper rolled his eyes, a heavy sigh escaping his lips, as if dealing with a destroyed cabin was the least of his worries at this point.

Steve, who had been listening in a mix of shock and horror, finally spoke up, trying to make sense of it all. "Okay, so, just to be clear," he said, holding up his hands as though to organize his thoughts, "this-this big, fleshy spider thing that hurt El... it's some kind of gigantic... weapon?"

Nancy nodded, her face grim but firm. "Yes."

Steve's brow furrowed as he tried to process it further, his mind stumbling over the sheer absurdity of it. "But instead of, like, screws and metal, the Mind Flayer made its weapon... with melted people?" His voice cracked slightly at the end, the words sounding surreal even as he said them.

"Yes, exactly," Nancy repeated, her tone unwavering, though her face betrayed a flicker of disgust. The image of the Mind Flayer's creation-its fleshy, writhing mass composed of bodies and bone-flashed through her mind, sending a shiver down her spine.

Steve shook his head slightly, his eyes wide as he struggled to wrap his head around it. "Yeah, okay." He paused, swallowing hard, trying to regain some semblance of composure. "I... yeah, I'm just making sure."

Joyce, her face lined with concern, finally spoke, her voice soft but urgent. "Are we sure this thing is still out there? Still alive?"

Max, who had been standing nearby, arms crossed tightly over her chest, sighed heavily. "El and Wren beat the shit out of it, but... yeah, it's still alive." She cast a quick glance at El, whose eyes were distant, lost in thought.

Will, who had been silent up until now, looked between the others, his gaze finally settling on El. He took a shaky breath before speaking. "But if we close the gate again..."

Max turned to him, nodding, her expression resolute. "We cut the brain off from the body," she said, her tone carrying a quiet strength.

"And kill it," Lucas added, his voice calm but firm. "Theoretically."

A brief silence fell over the group as they all processed this plan, the weight of what they needed to do settling heavily on their shoulders. Just then, a voice broke through the tense silence, loud and clear, cutting across the distance.

"Yoo-hoo!" came the unmistakable call from across the mall. The group turned to see Murray Bauman, waving a stack of papers in his hand, his voice carrying through the ruined space. "Yoo-hoo!" he repeated, his voice tinged with a mixture of excitement and impatience.

Wren, breathing heavily from the strain of supporting El, shot a confused look toward Hopper. "Who is this man?" he panted, his brow furrowing in bewilderment.

Hopper let out a low, frustrated groan, his expression somewhere between a grimace and a smirk. "An old friend," he muttered, the words dripping with exasperation.

They all watched as Murray made his way over to them, navigating the wreckage with surprising ease, the maps in his hands flapping wildly as he strode closer. His expression was one of determination, as though he held the solution to all their problems in those battered maps.

As he reached them, he slowed, holding the maps aloft like a prize, his face lighting up with a manic grin. "I've got the way in," he announced, a gleam of satisfaction in his eyes. And in that moment, despite the gravity of their situation, a small spark of hope flickered within the group.

Murray spread the crinkled map across the table, the lines and notes scrawled by Alexei illuminating paths and points with cryptic labels. He tapped a specific spot on the map with his finger, his face intense as he began explaining, "Okay, this is what Alexei called the hub." His voice carried a mix of urgency and frustration, eyes flicking between the adults and kids around him. "Now, the hub takes us to the vault room," he continued, his finger tracing a line on the map.

Hopper leaned forward, his brows furrowing as he scrutinized the map. "Okay, where's the gate?" he asked, his tone impatient, like he couldn't afford any detours in this explanation.

"Right here," Murray responded, pointing to another spot on the map. "I don't know the scale on this, but I think it's fairly close to the vault room... maybe fifty feet or so." His voice was cautious, as if even he wasn't entirely certain, but he held onto the belief that his estimation was close enough.

Erica, who had been watching the exchange with crossed arms and a raised eyebrow, stepped forward, her skepticism palpable. "More like five hundred feet," she retorted, the disdain in her tone unmistakable. She rolled her eyes before continuing with biting sarcasm. "What, you're just gonna waltz in there like it's Commie Disneyland or something?"

Murray looked up at her, his expression a mixture of confusion and irritation. "I'm sorry, who are you?" he asked, his voice dripping with barely concealed condescension.

"Erica Sinclair," she shot back without missing a beat, her gaze piercing as she matched his tone. "Who are you?"

"Murray," he said with a reluctant sigh, realizing he'd underestimated her. "Bauman."

Erica barely acknowledged his introduction, moving in closer to the table with an air of authority that belied her age. "Listen, Mr. Bunman," she drawled, smirking slightly at the mispronunciation that was entirely intentional, "I'm not trying to tell you how to do things, but I've been down in that shithole for twenty-four hours." Her voice hardened as she laid out the facts, her experience in the Russian bunker lending her a weight of authority that even the adults couldn't ignore. "And with all due respect, you do what this man tells you, you're all gonna die."

Murray scoffed, incredulous, looking around as if waiting for someone to jump in and clarify the absurdity of what he was hearing. "I'm sorry," he sneered, his eyes narrowing at Erica, "why is this four-year-old speaking to me?"

Wren gasped dramatically, his hand flying to his mouth as he took an exaggerated step back. "Don't let him say that to you!" he exclaimed, encouraging Erica with a dramatic flourish.

Erica shot a fiery glare at Murray. "Um, I'm ten, you bald bastard!" she snapped, her voice loud and defiant, causing a few of the others to stifle their laughter.

"Erica!" Lucas hissed, his face turning red as he glanced nervously between his sister and the adults. He clearly wasn't thrilled with her choice of words, but he knew better than to try to stop her.

Wren, standing beside Dustin, pumped his fist in solidarity. "You go, Erica!" he cheered, his grin wide and unrestrained.

"Just the facts!" Erica shot back, her confidence unwavering as she crossed her arms defiantly.

Dustin stepped forward, hands raised as he gestured to the map, redirecting the group's attention to the problem at hand. "She's right," he said, his tone calm and practical. "You're all gonna die... but you don't have to." He stepped closer to the table, eyes on Murray. "Excuse me, sorry, may I?"

Murray moved aside with a roll of his eyes, muttering under his breath but making room for Dustin to take charge. "Please."

Dustin leaned over the map, his fingers tracing a route with the ease of someone who had memorized every twist and turn. "Okay, see this room here?" he pointed, his tone shifting into full strategist mode. "This is a storage facility. There's a hatch in here that feeds into their underground ventilation system. That'll lead you to the base of the weapon." He glanced up, ensuring they were all following along. "It's a bit of a maze down there, but between me, and Erica, we can show you the way."

Hopper, who had been absorbing this plan with a growing look of skepticism, finally let out a scoff, his arms crossing over his chest. "You can show us the way?" His tone was dripping with doubt as he glanced at Dustin, his gaze shifting briefly to Erica and Slater, the mere idea of them leading the way sounding ridiculous to him.

Dustin, not missing a beat, nodded confidently. "Don't worry. You can do all the fighting and the dangerous hero shit, and we'll just be your... navigators." He shot Hopper a reassuring grin, clearly proud of his plan.

"Yeah," Erica chimed in, backing Dustin up with a sharp nod, as if this arrangement was the most logical thing in the world.

Hopper shook his head firmly, his expression resolute as he turned to look at Joyce, a look of exasperated disbelief etched across his face. "Nope," he said, his tone final, dismissing the plan with a curt shake of his head. "No."

The room was buzzing with a quiet tension as everyone drifted off into their own corners, each lost in their thoughts or attempting to distract themselves. Will and Wren were still perched on the edge of the fountain, both of them staring at nothing in particular. Dustin paced around nearby, his mind clearly racing with thoughts he couldn't shake off.

Erica let out a dramatic sigh, her arms crossed tightly over her chest. "Well, that settles it," she muttered, her tone a mixture of annoyance and resignation. "He's gonna die. They're gonna die."

Wren exhaled deeply, slumping a little as he absorbed her words. "This is... this is shit," he said, sounding defeated, his gaze fixed on the floor.

"Yep, most likely," Dustin agreed, nodding to Erica as if to affirm her worst fears.

Lucas, however, tried to cut through the gloom, attempting to find a silver lining. "Hey, you guys survived, didn't you?" he pointed out, a hopeful note in his voice.

"Barely," Dustin replied, his expression serious. "We could've really used you guys down there. Things got... rough." The weight of everything they'd been through lingered in his voice, a testament to the battles they'd faced without their friends.

El, who had been sitting beside Wren, gently nudged him with her shoulder. She gave him an encouraging smile and whispered softly, "Go. Go hug your boyfriends."

Wren chuckled nervously, looking down at her with a small, grateful smile. With a gentle hand, he lifted her head from his shoulder and stood up. He took a deep breath, preparing himself, and then walked over to where his friends were gathered.

The moment he got close, Mike's face lit up, though he tried to play it cool. "Could've used you up here, too," he admitted, trying to sound casual, but there was an unmistakable warmth in his voice.

"Yeah, man. We missed you, dudes," Lucas added, the affection in his tone belying his typically tough exterior.

"Yeah. Big-time," Will chimed in, his quiet voice carrying an unmistakable sincerity.

Dustin gave a firm nod, acknowledging the sentiment with a small smile. "We missed you guys, too," he said, his voice softening.

"Big-time," Wren echoed, shooting Dustin a grin that spoke of a bond only those who'd faced the darkness together could understand.

As the five of them pulled each other into a hug, a mess of arms and heads and relieved laughs, Erica rolled her eyes, the corners of her mouth twitching upward despite herself. "Please don't cry, nerds," she scoffed, shaking her head as if she couldn't believe the display of affection before her.

Lucas pulled back from the hug just enough to glare at her, his face reddening slightly. "Erica!" he protested, exasperation lacing his voice.

Erica's gaze sharpened as she smirked at him, completely unbothered by his frustration. "Keep saying my name, see what happens," she challenged, eyes narrowing with a fierce playfulness.

Wren laughed, catching her eye. "Right? They are such dorks," he said with a grin. "But trust me, you'll learn to love them."

Erica looked over at him, a spark of appreciation lighting up her face. "See? Someone gets me." She grinned, nudging him in acknowledgment. "You are my new favorite."

Wren feigned a bow, his grin wide and a bit mischievous. "I am honored," he replied, feeling an unexpected sense of camaraderie with her.

The room was filled with quiet murmurs and heartfelt goodbyes, everyone exchanging words of reassurance, comfort, and promises to stay safe. Wren stood in the middle, watching the familiar faces around him. He glanced over at his cousins, Mike and Nancy, who were deep in conversation, their expressions mirroring a mixture of concern and determination. They gave him small nods, silent acknowledgments that held unspoken words of encouragement and trust.

Before Wren could get lost in his thoughts, he felt a gentle tug, and he turned to see El limping over to him. Without a word, he wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close as she leaned into him. The weight of her against him was comforting, a silent reminder of the connection they shared and the strength they gave each other.

"Wren," Hopper's deep voice broke through the soft din of the room, drawing his attention. Wren turned to face him, and at that moment, Max approached, moving to help El stand steady beside him.

Hopper looked at Wren with a mixture of seriousness and something that looked almost like fatherly affection. "Take care of her..." Hopper's voice softened, a rough edge to his tone that betrayed his worry. "And don't let her get hurt."

Wren met Hopper's gaze and nodded, his face resolute, understanding the weight of the trust being placed in him. But as he turned away, a small smirk flickered on his face, and he rolled his eyes, hiding a bit of the nervousness beneath a facade of casual confidence. Then, tightening his arm around El, he pulled her closer, as if to reassure her and himself that he would keep her safe, no matter what lay ahead.

As El staggered towards the car, Max's gaze landed on the thin trail of blood trickling from her nose. She glanced at Wren, her worry mirrored in his face. "El, you're bleeding," Max murmured, concern thick in her voice.

"Are you okay?" Wren asked, his tone gentle yet insistent, searching her face for any sign that she was hiding her pain.

El grunted a quiet affirmation, "Mhm," trying to sound stronger than she felt. Her body was weary, her powers drained, but she pushed forward with Wren and Max supporting her.

Max hurriedly opened the car trunk door. "Here, okay," she said, readying the back seat for El.

Wren scooped her up carefully, guiding her into the seat. "Lay down," he instructed softly, his voice tinged with worry as he helped her settle.

El let out a quiet groan of gratitude, her face contorted in pain. "Thank you, Wren."

Nancy, sitting in the driver's seat, turned the key in the ignition, but the engine gave a weak splutter. Her heart sank as the car failed to start. Jonathan leaned in, his face creased with worry. "What's wrong?"

"I don't... I don't know," Nancy stammered, trying the key again, panic creeping into her voice. "You can't be serious. Come on!"

Lucas peered over the seat. "Didn't your mom just buy this car?"

"Yes," Nancy muttered through gritted teeth, twisting the key again, her desperation mounting. "I'm sure it's fine."

"Did you leave the lights on?" Will asked, his voice hopeful.

"No," she answered, frustration bubbling over.

"Do we have gas?" Lucas questioned, trying to stay calm.

"Yes!" Nancy snapped back, her voice laced with irritation and panic as she tried once more. "Come on!"

Jonathan reached over, gently resting his hand on her arm to stop her. "Whoa, whoa, whoa! Just... stop. Stop." He nodded towards the hood. "Pop the hood."

Nancy and Jonathan climbed out of the car, their faces tense as they lifted the hood and peered inside, both of them looking lost and frustrated.

The stillness was shattered by the sound of a car engine revving in the distance. The familiar, ominous rumble echoed through the night, sending chills down their spines. The car's headlights blazed to life, illuminating the darkness, and the engine growled like a predator preparing to strike.

Inside the car, the kids froze, eyes wide in terror, hearts hammering. Nancy slammed her palm on the window, her voice laced with urgency. "Back in the mall! Back in the mall!"

"Go! Go, go, go!" Wren shouted, spurring everyone into motion.

"Be careful!" Will called out as he and Max quickly helped Tilly out of the back seat, her face pale with fear.

"Holy shit," Wren whispered as the looming threat became all too real.

"Go! Go!" Max urged, her eyes darting around, pulse racing.

"Go, go, go!" they all shouted as they sprinted towards the mall, fear pushing them faster.

But Wren halted mid-step, a chill running down his spine as he heard a voice call out from behind him. "Wren Wheeler..."

The voice was cold, taunting, dripping with malice. He turned slowly to face Billy, standing just a few feet away, his posture menacing and his eyes empty, as if something dark and sinister had taken over him.

"Help us," Billy mocked, his voice twisting Wren's name into something that sounded both familiar and alien.

Wren's face hardened, a flicker of defiance sparking in his eyes. Without hesitation, he flipped Billy off. "No!" he shouted, his voice steady, refusing to be swayed by the creature that had taken his friend. In that moment, he turned his back, pushing himself to catch up with the others as they fled into the safety of the mall, his heart pounding as he ran to protect the people he loved.

"Scoops Troop, do you copy?" Mike's voice cracked through the silence as he paced, his grip tight around the walkie-talkie, desperation threading each word. "Scoops Troop, do you copy? Scoops Troop, do you copy?" His eyes darted around the dimly lit food court, searching for any sign that their friends on the other end could hear them.

Wren watched him from where he sat with his feet propped up on a wooden food court chair, his face shadowed with concern. "What's he doing?" Wren asked, barely above a whisper, the unease in his voice mirroring the tension that hung heavily in the air.

"We need to get help," Will muttered, more to himself than anyone, though his words carried the urgency they all felt. They were trapped in this place, and the walls felt like they were closing in tighter with every second that ticked by.

"Scoops Troop, I repeat, do you copy?" Mike's voice rose, laced with a plea, as he pressed the button down harder, almost as if he could will an answer through sheer force. "We're trapped in the mall and in need of emergency transportation."

Nearby, Lucas had his wrist rocket poised, his grip steady as he aimed it into the air. He looked like he was ready to defend them, even though they all knew how slim their chances were if Billy broke through. Nancy, standing a few steps away, was preparing her shotgun with calm, grim determination, her fingers moving quickly as she checked it over.

Wren glanced uneasily at Lucas and his wrist rocket. "You're gonna hit me with that," he muttered, wincing a little as he leaned back.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, not breaking his focus. "I'm not even near you, man," he replied, a slight smirk crossing his face despite the tension. The little moment of levity barely lasted, though, as Mike's voice cut through once more.

"Scoops Troop, do you copy? Billy has found us," Mike continued, his tone growing more frantic with each attempt. "He's disabled our car, and we're trapped in the mall."

Nancy's gaze stayed hard as she adjusted the shotgun in her hands, her expression unreadable but resolved. Max, who was standing nearby, looked at her with a pained expression, her voice barely audible. "You're gonna kill him, aren't you?" she asked, worry lacing her tone as she thought of her brother, Billy. Despite everything, he was still her family.

Before Nancy could respond, Wren stepped closer to Max, his expression softening. He placed a gentle hand on her shoulder, squeezing it in reassurance. "It's just a precaution, Max," he said quietly, his voice calm but firm. "We have to be ready for anything... and we have to protect ourselves. We can't take any chances."

Max's face softened slightly at his words, though the worry didn't disappear entirely. She nodded, a silent understanding passing between them. She knew they were right, but the thought of facing Billy, of potentially losing him for good, lingered like a dark cloud over her heart.

Meanwhile, Mike's pacing continued, and he repeated the message into the walkie, each word feeling heavier than the last. "I repeat: Billy has disabled our car, and we are trapped in the mall."

The echo of his voice faded into the quiet tension of the room, and they all stood there, waiting, hoping, and bracing themselves for whatever came next.

The group stood around the burnt-out display car in the dimly lit mall, their faces set with determination as they struggled to move it. The air was thick with tension, punctuated only by the faint echoes of their grunts and heavy breathing.

"Push!" Jonathan shouted, his voice strained as he dug his feet into the tile, pushing with all his strength.

"Come on, all together!" Nancy urged, her jaw clenched as she braced herself against the car.

Wren planted his feet firmly, squaring his shoulders as he leaned into the car with the others. "All right, all the way now. Ready?"

The group counted down in unison, barely containing their combined strength. "Three, two, one... push!"

With a final heave, the car groaned and shifted, finally tipping forward with a loud, metallic crash that echoed through the empty mall. They all stumbled back slightly, wiping sweat from their brows, momentarily satisfied with their success.

Mike grinned smugly, looking at the others. "See? Physics," he said, clearly proud of his reasoning.

Nancy, not pausing to bask in the moment, scanned the car's exterior, her brow furrowed. "How do we get it open?"

"There should be a latch somewhere..." Jonathan answered, glancing around. "Maybe under the hood."

Wren nodded in agreement, running a hand along the car's frame, his gaze sharp and observant. "Yeah, probably under the wheel," he added offhandedly, as if it were common knowledge.

Lucas turned to Wren, his face a mix of curiosity and exhaustion. "How do you know all this stuff?" he panted.

Wren shrugged, not meeting his gaze. "Juvie," he said simply, his tone matter-of-fact.

Lucas raised an eyebrow, surprised but unsure how to respond. They had bigger issues to worry about, anyway. Nancy was now crouched by the car, searching meticulously for the elusive latch.

As they worked, Max glanced over at El, who was off to the side, her movements slow and distracted. Her eyes were focused on something in the trash bin nearby, her hand dipping in and pulling out a soda can. She held it in front of her, fingers curling around it, her expression one of intense concentration mixed with frustration.

"What's she doing?" Max whispered to the group, nodding toward El.

Mike, Wren, and Max stepped forward cautiously, watching as El tried to crush the can in her hand, but her efforts seemed strained, forced.

"El," Mike called, worry etched into his face.

"Are you okay?" Wren asked, his tone gentle as he took a step closer. There was something wrong-she didn't look like herself.

El turned her gaze to him, her eyes full of exhaustion and frustration. She opened her mouth as if to explain, voice barely above a whisper. "My-"

Before she could finish, a strange, ominous crackling sound filled the air. It was deep and resonant, reverberating through the mall and making the very ground beneath them vibrate. The group stilled, instinctively looking up toward the ceiling.

There, perched ominously on the edge of the broken skylight, was the Mind Flayer. Its dark, twisted form loomed like a storm cloud against the night sky, its countless tendrils twitching and writhing as it gazed down at them, malevolent and hungry. The lights from the mall cast an eerie glow on its fleshy, otherworldly surface, highlighting every grotesque detail.

Mike's face drained of color as his hand tightened around El's. "Nancy!" he shouted, his voice trembling with fear.

Wren's eyes widened in horror, adrenaline kicking in as he echoed, "Nancy!"

Nancy's head snapped up, her face going pale as she took in the sight of the creature above them. She barely had time to process it before Mike was shouting, "Come on!" He grabbed El by the arm, pulling her forward as he took off running, Max trailing right behind.

Wren moved to follow them, but they had taken off so quickly he found himself a few steps behind, feeling a surge of irritation and fear as he called after them, "Mike!" He scoffed, realizing they hadn't waited, before gathering himself and hurrying to catch up.

The Mind Flayer let out a bone-chilling shriek, the sound filling every corner of the mall and sending a ripple of fear through each of them. Its massive body heaved as it smashed through the shattered glass ceiling, raining shards down like deadly confetti. With a heavy, earth-shaking thud, it landed on the floor of the mall, the ground trembling beneath its weight. Its countless, twisted appendages thrashed and flailed, creating a sickening symphony of crackling, slithering sounds as it surveyed the room, searching for them.

"Wren!" his friends screamed, their voices echoing in desperation as they saw him standing too close to the creature's path.

Before he could react, Will darted forward, grabbing Wren's arm and pulling him behind the cover of the display car. The others followed quickly, pressing themselves against the cold metal, barely daring to breathe as they hid from the creature now stalking through the mall, mere yards away.

The five of them huddled together in silence, their breaths shallow and fearful, every heartbeat sounding louder than it should in the tense quiet. Wren's breathing was particularly fast, panic starting to rise in his chest as he tried to steady himself.

Noticing Wren's anxious state, Will turned to him, his own hands shaking, but his eyes filled with determination. He reached out, gently but firmly placing his hand over Wren's mouth, signaling for absolute silence. Wren's eyes met Will's, wide and scared, but understanding the message. He nodded slowly, and Will withdrew his hand, giving him a small, reassuring look.

The group stayed crouched behind the car, gripping each other tightly, every sense heightened as they listened to the creature's monstrous breathing and the soft thudding of its limbs dragging across the mall floor. Each of them was hoping, praying, that it wouldn't find them, that somehow they could escape this nightmare alive.

The creature's gargantuan form loomed over the wreckage of the mall, a terrifying sight as it moved with frightening purpose, crushing anything in its path. The ground trembled beneath its weight as it crawled through the chaos it had caused, raking its claws across the broken walls and pillars of the shopping center. Every step it took shattered the concrete beneath it, sending waves of debris into the air like shrapnel. The shrieks and growls that came from its throat were deafening, filling the air with a primal fury.

The group crouched low behind the wrecked car, trying to stay as quiet and still as possible. Wren, his body trembling, buried his face in his knees, trying to steady his breathing. His chest heaved with fear, his mind racing with every possibility of how this could end. The mall felt like a tomb, every second stretching longer as the sound of the creature's destructive advance grew louder. He couldn't stop shaking, and the weight of the moment pressed down on him like a vise.

Jonathan was the first to peek out from behind the wreckage of the car, his eyes scanning the scene. He could see the creature's back turned toward them, giving them a fleeting chance.

"We need to move, now," Jonathan whispered urgently, his voice tense with the fear of getting caught. He shifted to the side, carefully making his way to the edge of the car for a better vantage point.

Lucas was already on the move, sliding across the floor on his stomach, trying to get into position without drawing attention. He stopped next to Jonathan, his fingers nervously fiddling with the pouch of his wrist rocket. The tension between the two was palpable-every muscle in their bodies was coiled, waiting for the right moment to act.

"Shit," Lucas muttered under his breath as he adjusted the rubber band, aiming at something distant. His heartbeat was deafening in his ears, but he focused, steadying his hand. He couldn't afford to miss.

"What are you doing?" Nancy whispered, a note of disbelief in her voice. She could see what he was about to do, but she wasn't sure if it was the right call.

Lucas didn't respond; he just clenched his jaw and released the tension on the wrist rocket. The sound of a rock hurtling through the air was followed by the sharp, sudden pop of a balloon nearby. The sound echoed through the cavernous, crumbling space, cutting through the eerie quiet of the moment like a knife. The Mind Flayer's head jerked around, its massive, predatory eyes locking onto their position.

"Oh my God," Wren muttered, his breath hitching in his throat as panic surged through him. The creature's attention was now fully on them, and every second that passed felt like an eternity.

The Mind Flayer let out a bone-chilling shriek, the kind that vibrated through the floor and rattled their bones. The roar seemed to vibrate through their entire bodies as the creature began to move toward them with a terrifying purpose. Its jaws parted, revealing rows of jagged teeth as it bellowed again, shaking the ground beneath them.

"Move! Move, now!" Jonathan shouted, his voice strained with fear, but also determination. He didn't wait to see if they followed; he bolted from his hiding spot and dashed for the entrance of the mall.

"Go, go, go, go, go!" he called out to the others, his voice rising in urgency as they scrambled to their feet. The group, adrenaline coursing through them, ran in a frenzied blur, hearts pounding, feet pounding the floor. Every footstep seemed to echo like a death sentence as the floor rumbled under their feet.

They reached the entrance, and Jonathan reached El first, placing her down gently. Will helped her along, trying to keep her on her feet as they rushed to the car. They were close-so close-but it wasn't over yet.

"Go, go, go!" Jonathan urged again, his voice desperate as the sound of the Mind Flayer grew closer.

Nancy was already at the front of the car, poised to make a quick getaway, and Lucas quickly joined her, pulling himself into the car's front seat. Wren, Will, and Lucas scrambled into the back, slamming the door behind them, trying to block out the terrifying noise that reverberated through the air as the Mind Flayer approached.

Suddenly, a roaring engine broke the tension-Billy's car. It sped toward them, the screeching tires cutting through the air as the car hurtled toward them at high speed, its headlights glaring like the eyes of a predator closing in.

"Shit!" Jonathan cursed, panic rising in his throat as he stared at the ignition, his hands trembling as they reached for the keys.

"Why the fuck is he still here?" Wren shouted, his voice tinged with disbelief and frustration. His mind raced-why hadn't Billy left yet? They didn't have time to waste on him.

"Get the car started!" Nancy barked, her voice cool but filled with tension as she cocked her gun, her fingers wrapped around the cold metal.

"Go!" she ordered again, her eyes trained on Billy's approaching car.

Jonathan's hands shook uncontrollably as he tried to turn the ignition. His panic was building as the car refused to start. "No, no, no, no, no-come on!" he muttered under his breath, as the growling roar of Billy's car grew louder.

"Come on!" he shouted again, desperation lacing his voice. Every moment they waited felt like a countdown to their deaths.

Billy's car was nearly upon them, and it was too close for comfort. His mind raced, knowing that they didn't have much time.

"We gotta go!" Lucas yelled from the back, his voice panicked. The urgency in his tone was clear-every second counted.

"Let's fucking go!" Wren shouted, his fists clenched at his sides, his nerves on edge as he gritted his teeth in frustration.

Nancy fired her gun repeatedly, the sound of bullets hitting Billy's car ringing out, but it had no effect. Billy didn't slow down. His car hurtled toward them, relentless.

At the last moment, just as the car seemed to close in on them, there was a screeching noise. Another car appeared out of nowhere, barreling toward Billy's car and knocking it off course with a loud crash. Billy's car veered wildly, its wheels spinning as flames erupted from the engine, sending thick black smoke billowing into the air.

Wren's eyes widened in disbelief and relief as he saw the familiar face behind the wheel.

"Steve!" Wren cried out, his voice breaking with joy. His heart skipped a beat at the sight of his friend coming to the rescue. He leaned forward, knocking on the window, desperate to get their attention. "Come on! Let's go!"

Billy's car, now fully engulfed in flames, careened out of control and came to a smoking halt. Billy, it seemed, had been knocked out cold by the impact, his vehicle a mangled wreck of metal and fire.

Robin and Steve hopped out of their car, taking in the sight of the Mind Flayer looming ominously on top of the mall, its shrieks reverberating through the air. Their faces were grim, the gravity of the situation sinking in.

"Oh, shit," Steve muttered under his breath as he surveyed the destruction around them.

Jonathan, now with the engine finally running, slammed his foot on the gas. The car lurched forward, and Nancy quickly hopped into the passenger seat, her face set with resolve.

"Get in!" Nancy shouted to Robin and Steve, urgency in her voice.

"Go, go, go, go!" she cried again as Jonathan swerved the car into gear.

Robin and Steve wasted no time, diving into the trunk as the vehicle surged forward, the tires screeching as they tore away from the wreckage.

Behind them, the Mind Flayer, still in pursuit, let out an ear-splitting shriek, but they had no time to look back. The monster was still on their tail, its enormous form a black shadow on the horizon. But for now, they were alive-and that's all that mattered.

As they drove through the wreckage, the world around them felt like it was collapsing, but they kept moving, hoping against hope that they could outrun the nightmare that was chasing them. The road ahead was uncertain, but they had survived one more round.

The car was filled with the hauntingly nostalgic melody of "NeverEnding Story," sung painfully off-key by Dustin and his girlfriend Suzie. They belted out the lyrics, the echo of their voices mixing with the tension in the air. Everyone else in the car exchanged glances, half-annoyed, half-amused, as the heartfelt ballad rolled on. But the mood quickly shifted when they realized El, Mike, and Max were still at the mall, the looming threat of the Mind Flayer a dark shadow hanging over them.

"Turn around!" Jonathan shouted, urgency slicing through the sentimental song. Dustin faltered mid-lyric, glancing back at the group with a wide-eyed expression, while Nancy leaned forward, ready to give directions.

As they maneuvered the car back toward the mall, Wren, Will, and Lucas steeled themselves for the chaos that awaited. They had managed to find a back entrance and made their way up to the second floor, scanning the scene below. Billy stood defiantly, facing off against the Mind Flayer, and El stood at his side, the tension in the air thick enough to slice with a knife.

"Let's split up," Wren suggested, his heart pounding in his chest. They divided into smaller groups, each taking a vantage point from above to observe the impending confrontation.

Wren, Will, and Lucas positioned themselves near a railing, peering down at the unfolding drama. The three boys clutched a basket full of fireworks-an impromptu arsenal from Bradley's stash, which had earlier been the butt of jokes and ridicule. Now, it felt like a stroke of brilliance.

"Here." Lucas passed Wren a box of fireworks, his face resolute.

Wren grabbed it eagerly. "We need to get him as injured as possible," she said, her eyes fixed on the creature.

"Or, maybe just distracted," Lucas countered, glancing at El, who was locked in a tense stare with Billy.

"I doubt these will hurt him," Wren said firmly. "We just need him to steer clear of El."

"Now!" Lucas yelled suddenly as the Mind Flayer let out a deafening roar, its attention zeroing in on El.

With adrenaline pumping through their veins, Lucas hurled the first firework into the air. Wren followed suit, throwing his with all his strength. "Flay this, you ugly piece of shit!" he shouted, launching it right into the monster's gaping mouth.

The explosion lit up the mall like fireworks on the Fourth of July, and the ground shook beneath them as the creature howled in pain. Will, Jonathan, and Nancy joined in, launching more fireworks as the Mind Flayer writhed beneath the onslaught.

"Hey, asshole! Over here!" Steve called from across the mall, brandishing a firework like a weapon. He hurled it with force, Robin following closely behind, matching his intensity.

"Back here, you fucker!" Wren screamed, urgency driving him. The Mind Flayer turned toward their direction, its monstrous eyes narrowing as it zeroed in on their position.

"Over here!" Lucas yelled, throwing another firework with a fierce determination.

"Come on, we need to go bigger!" Lucas ordered as he and Wren launched another round of fireworks at the creature.

"Eat shit!" Wren yelled defiantly, the colorful flashes of explosions igniting the air around them. The chaos was exhilarating, a whirlwind of light and sound that seemed to distract the beast effectively.

As they kept firing, Will's voice broke through the cacophony. "We're almost out!" Panic colored his tone, and the desperation was palpable.

"I know!" Lucas yelled back, but he kept firing, pushing himself and the others to continue the onslaught.

Wren's heart raced as he glanced down, catching sight of El still standing by Billy's side, her face a mask of determination mixed with fear. He felt a surge of protectiveness wash over him, every instinct screaming at him to intervene.

"Don't stop!" Wren shouted, urgency lacing his voice.

"Wasn't planning to," Will replied, though Wren could hear the strain in his words.

In a final surge of adrenaline, Lucas threw the last firework as Will cried out, "We're out!"

"Damn it!" Lucas cursed, frustration bubbling over.

"Wren, watch out!" Will yelled suddenly, and a massive tentacle shot toward Wren, aiming to take him out, but he teleported away just in time, heart racing.

The next moments felt surreal, stretched out in slow motion. Tentacles exploded from the creature, latching onto Billy and piercing through his skin with grotesque precision. El's eyes widened, a choked sob escaping her lips as horror washed over her face.

In a split second, Wren acted on instinct. He teleported down to El's side, wrapping his arms around her protectively, grounding her as they both witnessed the nightmare unfolding.

Then, in a horrific display, one final arm slithered from the Mind Flayer's mouth and plunged into Billy's chest. He dropped to the floor, lifeless.

The Mind Flayer roared again, thrashing violently, as if it were having a seizure. The sheer force of its struggle sent shockwaves through the mall, and Wren held El tighter, the sound echoing in his ears.

Then, as if the life force had been extinguished, the Mind Flayer collapsed to the ground, the looming threat finally neutralized. The silence that followed was deafening.

Mike and Max rushed over, their faces pale with disbelief as they took in the chaotic scene. Mike enveloped El in a tight embrace, relief flooding through him as he checked to see if Wren was okay, too.

"Yeah, I'm okay too. Thanks, Michael," Wren panted, but his heart ached at the sight before him.

Max, however, was a different story. She sprinted toward her step-brother, her breath hitching in her throat as she crumpled next to Billy's bloodied body. Wren dragged himself over to her side, kneeling beside her as tears spilled down her cheeks.

"Max... I'm so sorry," he whispered, his heart breaking for her as she buried her head into his lap, shaking with grief.

"I'm sorry," she wept, her voice muffled against him.

El shifted over, reaching out to rub Max's shoulders gently. "It's okay," she whispered, her voice soothing yet filled with pain. "It's okay."

As they sat together, the aftermath of the battle washed over them-a surreal mix of triumph and tragedy, the weight of loss hanging heavy in the air. The chaos may have subsided, but the scars would remain.

THREE MONTHS LATER...

It had been three months since the battle at Starcourt. The night everything had changed. The night Hopper died. Since then, nothing had been the same. Dr. Owens had swiftly arranged for El to move in with the Byers family. They were whisked away to a secret location almost immediately. El hadn't been allowed to contact anyone, and Wren hadn't heard from her once since that night. It was a painful silence, gnawing at him every day as he wondered if she was okay, if she was alive, if she was still the girl he'd fought beside-if she remembered him.

But now, here they were, packing up the house, preparing for a new life in California. El and the Byers family were finally safe, and Wren could know where they'd moved. El had started high school under a new identity-Jane-because the military was still hunting her, still searching for the girl who'd once been a weapon against the monsters.

For Wren, things had been different. The powers he once relied on-his ability to teleport-had simply stopped working after the Mind Flayer's death. It was as if the battle had drained him of everything. He didn't feel weaker, but he felt like a part of him had been severed, leaving him with a strange emptiness. No more sparks, no more sudden shifts in space. He had just... stopped.

Now, standing in the Byers' living room, the sound of packing tape and cardboard boxes filled the air, and there was a feeling of both finality and new beginnings. Outside, the orange and gray U-Haul van stood ready for the move. It was the first time he'd felt like he could finally breathe, as though the weight of everything they'd been through was starting to lift.

Inside, the trio-Max, Lucas, and Dustin-had taken it upon themselves to lighten the mood by belting out lyrics from The NeverEnding Story with all the enthusiasm they could muster.

"Turn around," Max and Lucas sang in unison, their voices reaching a dramatic crescendo.

"Look at what you see, in her face-" Lucas pointed at Wren, and the rhythm of their antics started to feel familiar again, like things weren't as heavy as they'd been just a few weeks ago.

"To you, Wren!" Lucas shouted with a grin.

"The mirror of your dreams!" Wren sang, his voice catching the playful tone. A rare laugh escaped him as the rest of the group harmonized, the humor breaking through the tension.

"Rhymes that keep their secrets, will unfold behind the clouds..." The group sang together.

Max interrupted, her brow furrowed. "Wait, did we get that verse right?" she asked. "It's 'unfold behind the clouds'?"

"You got it right, Maxine!" Wren assured, tapping her on the shoulder.

"Yeah, whatever," Dustin grumbled, still focused on packing boxes. "But you're all butchering it. So could you please stop?"

"Come on, Dusty, just pretend it's Suzie Poo," Wren teased, nudging him playfully.

"Exactly! Join in, Dusty-bun," Lucas added with a cheeky grin, blowing him a kiss.

"Shut up, you guys." Dustin rolled his eyes and flipped them off, clearly done with the antics.

"I rhymes that keep their secrets will-d," Wren sang, joining in with the trio once again.

"Stop!" Dustin groaned. "Guys, please, shut up."

Wren laughed, clearly enjoying his best friend's irritation. It was moments like this that reminded him of simpler times-before the world got turned upside down. But, the moment didn't last long. After a few more moments of playful chaos, Wren dusted off his jean shorts and stood up, deciding to step out of the main room for a bit.

He knew El was staying in the guest room. He hadn't seen her since the night they'd parted ways. She had gone off to be with the Byers family, but Wren hadn't been able to shake the feeling of something unfinished between them. He had hoped they could've kept in touch, but the secrecy of their relocation had made that nearly impossible. He didn't know where to start, but he needed to see her. To make sure she was okay.

Wren had just stepped out of the living room when he noticed Mike walking down the hallway, a wide grin plastered across his face. Wren felt a tightening in his chest. He had been about to go in and tell El how he felt, to confess what had been weighing on him for months. He had been too afraid to say it before, unsure of what it might mean, but now-he was ready.

Before Wren could speak, Mike caught his eye. "Hey, cuz," Mike called out, his voice dripping with sarcasm. "Me and El are back together. And she said, 'I love you!'" Mike mocked the words, imitating El's voice, making a face as if he were a teenager in the midst of some romantic comedy.

Wren froze, the words hitting him like a cold wave. He hadn't expected this-he had hoped, but he hadn't expected this.

Mike didn't seem to notice Wren's discomfort as he continued, smugly walking past him, leaving a trail of hurt in his wake.

Wren felt his stomach twist. Mike had always had a way of saying things that made them feel like a joke, but now it didn't feel like a joke at all. The smile Mike wore felt like a slap in the face, and Wren stood there, dumbstruck, unable to process what had just happened. His chest felt hollow, his words stuck behind his ribs, unable to escape.

He stood there for a moment longer before walking back into the guest room, hoping that maybe-just maybe-he had misheard.

When he opened the door, he saw El standing at the window and looking out the window. Her dark hair fell in soft waves, and there was an air of calm around her. But something in her posture made Wren's heart race. The way she sat there, almost as if waiting for something-waiting for him, maybe?

"Hi," El said, her voice soft but warm, a slight smile curving on her lips when she turned to face him.

"Hi," Wren replied, his voice coming out a bit hoarse. He walked a little further into the room, and then his curiosity got the best of him. "So... you and Mike are back together?"

El's smile faltered, and she looked down at her hands, folding them in her lap. She nodded slowly. "Yeah... we are. I'm sorry, Wren," she said, her voice filled with sincerity.

Wren's chest tightened. He opened his mouth to speak but found himself fumbling for words. He didn't know how to handle this-he didn't know how to handle her. The weight of everything-the months of wondering, the fear of losing her, the feelings that had only grown stronger with time-it all came rushing back.

"I know you like me," El said, looking up at him, her gaze steady. "Friends don't lie."

Wren exhaled sharply, the pain of her words cutting deeper than he wanted to admit. He forced a smile, trying to shrug it off. "I don't know what you're talking about," he said, his voice shaky but trying to sound casual.

El's gaze softened, but her words were quiet, filled with understanding. "Wren, we both know that's not true."

He sighed, knowing there was no point in hiding it any longer. "You heard me, didn't you? I... I confessed my feelings for you that night in July, in the cabin," he said, his voice barely above a whisper, the vulnerability settling on him like a weight.

El nodded slowly, her eyes sad as she looked at him. "I remember," she said quietly.

Wren looked away, biting back the hurt. "I guess that's it then," he said, trying to force himself to sound indifferent. But it didn't work. His heart ached, and every part of him wanted to deny it-to deny the truth, to deny the pain. But there was no escaping it now.

El took a small step toward him, her eyes searching his face. "Wren... can we still be friends?"

The question hit him like a thunderclap. Friends. He could feel his heart breaking at the thought of it, but he nodded, the smile on his face so slight it was almost imperceptible. "Sure, El. Friends."

It wasn't what he wanted. He didn't want to be just friends with her. He wanted her. But as she looked at him, he saw the sadness in her eyes, and he couldn't bring himself to make her feel guilty for choosing Mike. He couldn't bring himself to make things harder than they already were.

El smiled, but it was faint, and it didn't quite reach her eyes. She turned to leave, the door clicking softly as she stepped out of the room.

Wren stood there for a moment, the weight of her words sinking in. His heart ached as he walked slowly toward the door, his hand lingering on the frame. He wanted to call out to her, to tell her how much he still cared, how much he wanted things to be different, but he knew it wouldn't change anything.

As the door shut behind her, Wren closed his eyes. He tried to hold back the tears, but they came anyway, stinging his eyes and blurring his vision. He turned away from the door, letting the tears fall as his heart broke just a little bit more.

Because no matter how hard he tried to pretend, he wasn't ready to be just friends with El.

ASH SPEAKS!

i told yall it was gonna be super slowburn.

sorry for how long this chapter is😭 i wanted to get s3 over with bc we've been stuck on it since may

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