chapter ten:
❛ the beginning of the end ❜

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The gas station's fluorescent lights buzzed like angry bees, casting harsh shadows that seemed to reflect the turmoil swirling inside Scarlett. She stepped out of the store, her heart still racing from the panic attack that had gripped her just moments ago. The world felt surreal, and the realization that her cousin planned to kill her sister crashed over her like a wave, leaving her breathless. Scarlett wiped at her eyes, the remnants of tears making her cheeks feel raw and exposed.

Outside, the group stood in a tight huddle, their expressions a mixture of concern and determination. Mike, Will, El, and Jonathan formed a makeshift support system, with Jonathan on the phone, his brow furrowed as he navigated the chaos of trying to get free tickets back to Hawkins. Scarlett's gaze drifted over them, her heart sinking further as she imagined the dangers that awaited them all.

As she approached, Harvey stepped forward, a worried frown etched on his face. "You okay, Scar?" he asked softly, his voice a comforting balm against the sharp edges of her anxiety.

"No, Harv. I'm not okay." Her voice trembled with the weight of her admission. "My cousin is gonna kill my sister." The words tumbled out in a rush, panic clawing at her throat.

Harvey's expression turned serious. "We'll find a way, Scarlett. Jonathan is trying his best," he reassured her, though the uncertainty in his voice suggested he wasn't entirely convinced.

Scarlett's gaze drifted to a nearby billboard, a tacky advertisement for a local diner. In that moment, a flicker of an idea ignited in her mind, cutting through the fog of despair. She thought back to her harrowing experience of diving into Billy's mind to confront the source of the Mind Flayer. If she could do that, perhaps she could save Max too.

"I have an idea," she said, a spark of determination igniting within her. She grabbed Harvey's hand and dragged him over to the group, her heart pounding with newfound resolve.

"What do you mean?" El asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

Scarlett took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the situation settle over her like a heavy cloak. "The source," she clarified, looking at Eleven, who seemed to understand where this was going.

"The source?" Harvey echoed, confusion still lingering in his eyes.

"Last year, Scarlett went into her brother's mind to find the source," Mike explained, his tone shifting from confusion to realization.

Harvey's eyes widened as he connected the dots. "Oh... wait, your brother was killed by your cousin too," he noted, the weight of the revelation hitting him hard.

"Exactly," Scarlett confirmed, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "My cousin is after my family. First it was me-he used me when I was eight, then he killed my brother. And now he's coming for Max, my sister." The gravity of her words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the stakes they were all facing.

"Wow, you and Eleven really made him mad," Harvey murmured, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I don't know about me," Scarlett replied quietly, her gaze dropping to the ground, "but he definitely wants Eleven dead."

"Wait, so how would you go to the source?" Argyle asked, his laid-back demeanor contrasting sharply with the urgency of the situation.

Scarlett led them over to the van, a sense of purpose driving her movements. She opened the back door and pulled out her notebook, flipping it open to a blank page. With quick strokes, she began to draw stick figures, illustrating her plan as she spoke. "This is Max," she said, pointing to the first stick figure. "When Henry attacks, he'll be in her mind."

She quickly drew another stick figure representing Henry. "But I can do that too-El can as well-but I'll be the one to do it since Max is my sister. I went into Billy's mind, and Eleven has been into her mom's mind, so either of us can get into Max's. She can carry me to Henry. I can piggyback." She illustrated herself next to Henry, a fierce determination shining in her eyes. "I can protect her from him. I will fight him from here."

"Mind fight. Righteous," Argyle nodded, clearly impressed with the concept.

"That's some insane shit," Harvey muttered, trying to wrap his mind around the plan.

"Wait, so you actually think this can work?" Mike asked, skepticism evident in his voice.

El shot him a look, her expression fierce and unwavering. "Oh, she can do it. I believe in her. You should see how powerful she is now. But a bathtub would help. It'll calm her senses," she explained, her faith in Scarlett shining through.

"Yeah. Gotta be clean to enter the mind," Scarlett added, her tone serious as she considered the logistics of their plan.

Argyle looked at them, puzzled. "What? No. It's a sensory deprivation tank. It helps her calm down and focus on her powers."

"Wait, we... we just passed a motel," Will suggested, trying to connect the dots in their chaotic plan.

"Yeah, but they won't have enough salt," Harvey pointed out, scratching his head as he tried to think through the details.

"Well, how much salt are we talking here, my dudes?" Argyle asked, hands on his hips, ready to tackle the challenge.

"Well, it depends on the size of the tub, but a lot," Jonathan clarified, his brow furrowing in thought.

"Does 600 pounds suffice?" Argyle asked, looking directly at Scarlett, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Yeah?" Scarlett replied, her heart racing with excitement and confusion. Could they actually pull this off?

"You know a place that has 600 pounds of salt?" Mike asked incredulously, trying to fathom the idea.

Argyle turned to face Scarlett again, sizing her up as if making a critical assessment. "Let's see..." He trailed off, pretending to measure her with his hands. "Yep. Mm-hmm. Yep, it'll work," he grinned, clearly pleased with his own proposal.

Mike and Will exchanged glances, Will shaking his head in disbelief. "What will work?" Scarlett asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I know a magical place that has all you need, my brave, little superpowered friend. That mind fight is on," Argyle declared, hopping into the driver's seat with an air of confidence, ready to lead the charge.

Scarlett leaned closer to Mike, her voice barely above a whisper. "Should I be worried?"

He shrugged, a smile creeping onto his face despite the gravity of the situation. "Probably," he replied lightly, but the determined look in Scarlett's eyes gave him hope. They were going to fight back, and this time, they were going to do everything in their power to protect Max.

As Argyle pulled into the Surfer Boy Pizza parking lot, the neon lights flickered brightly against the evening sky, casting colorful reflections on the asphalt. Scarlett climbed out of the van, feeling the weight of anxiety settle heavily on her shoulders. She stood between El and Mike, staring at the vibrant facade of the pizzeria, feeling an odd juxtaposition between its cheerful atmosphere and the dire situation they faced.

"You gotta be shitting me," Mike muttered, incredulity washing over his features as he took in the scene. The surfboards adorning the walls and the sound of laughter from inside felt almost mocking in the wake of their urgent mission.

"Trust me on this one, my dudes," Argyle replied confidently, hands on his hips. His carefree demeanor seemed unshakeable as he strode toward the entrance, oblivious to Mike's skepticism.

Scarlett exchanged a worried glance with Mike, her heart racing. "I can't believe all this is happening," Harvey sighed, shaking his head as he followed them inside. Will remained close behind, his brow furrowed with a mixture of concern and determination.

"There's a lot that I still need to tell you, Harv," Will said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. Harvey's confusion deepened, but they pressed on, stepping into the brightly lit pizzeria, where the scent of melted cheese and warm dough enveloped them.

As they approached the counter, Argyle turned to the cashier, a lanky young man wearing a tie-dye shirt and a beaded necklace. "Surf's up, my dude!"

The cashier looked up, a grin spreading across his face as he took in Argyle's vibrant attire. "Uh, woah. Nice shirt, my dude," he chuckled, clearly amused.

"Thanks, my dude," Argyle replied with a nod, his tone casual and friendly. But then he shifted gears, glancing over his shoulder at Scarlett, who was trying to project confidence even as anxiety bubbled beneath the surface. "Uh, listen, I would love to feed a fellow surfer boy, but the kitchen closed, like, five minutes ago, so no more pies tonight, man."

Argyle's chuckle fell flat as the reality of their situation settled in. Scarlett stepped forward, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She shoved Argyle aside playfully, asserting herself. "My dude," she mocked, channeling Argyle's earlier tone, "we're not asking you to help for free."

She reached into Argyle's shirt pocket, retrieving a neatly rolled joint of weed. The cashier's eyes widened, uncertainty flickering across his face. "Wait, what?"

Scarlett leaned closer, lowering her voice, her expression turning serious. "You ever partake in... purple palm tree delight?" The urgency in her tone hung in the air, mingling with the lingering scent of pizza.

The cashier blinked, his skepticism slowly melting away. "Uh... what? You can't be serious."

Scarlett's smirk widened as she sensed the tide turning in her favor. "It'll make all your troubles float away. And in return, you'll help me save my sister from my dookiehead of a cousin." Her words hung heavy with meaning, an unspoken plea woven into her casual delivery.

The cashier glanced back at the closed kitchen, weighing his options. After a moment of contemplation, he took the weed, an eager grin spreading across his face. "Alright, my dude. You got yourself a deal."

Scarlett felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, her heart racing as they prepared to set up the tub. The cashier led them through a door at the back of the restaurant, where the air grew warmer and the faint sounds of sizzling grills mixed with laughter from the dining area.

Scarlett sat across from Mike, watching as he meticulously put cardboard over the lenses of his sunglasses. "Okay, almost done..." he muttered, concentrating hard as he adjusted the makeshift blackout goggles. "Okay, so, hopefully, this blocks out any peripheral light, right?" He slipped the glasses on, an eager look on his face.

"It's totally dark, which means it works. But I have one more important question: do I look cool?" Mike tilted his head to the side, a playful grin stretching across his face.

Scarlett couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from her chest. "Totally," she said, her smile wide.

"Are you giggling? You're giggling because I look awesome. I can't see it, but I know you're smiling because I look so good, right?" His confidence was infectious, and Scarlett's laughter filled the room.

She took his hands, squeezing them lightly. "Mike," she said slowly, her tone shifting as she looked into his eyes. "I... I missed you a lot. I thought I was gonna be stuck there with Brennar's manipulations. I am so sorry about the fight we had before I got arrested."

Mike's expression softened, and a smile crept onto his face. "Scarlett, you had every right to feel the way you did. I'm sorry and I lo-"

Before he could finish, Argyle burst into the room, placing a steaming plate of pizza topped with pineapple in front of them. "Surf's up, Romeo!" he announced, his exuberance cutting through the serious moment.

Mike scrunched his face up in disgust as he stared at the pizza. "Oh, uh, too much flavor awesomeness can't overpower your battery, can it?" Argyle knelt down beside them, his playful tone making Mike roll his eyes.

"Nope," Scarlett replied, taking a confident bite of the pizza. She savored the burst of sweet and savory flavors on her tongue.

"Dude, this is pineapple," Mike retorted, eyeing the pizza as if it had personally offended him.

"Try it before you deny it," Argyle insisted, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin.

"Oh my God, Mike. You have to try this. It tastes so good!" Scarlett hummed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Mike gave her a wild look, disbelief etched across his features. "It's good? Are you crazy!?" he exclaimed, still refusing to budge.

Scarlett smirked, feigning innocence. "I'm definitely crazy. I mean, I hit Angela with a skate and electrocuted her," she chuckled, the memory bringing a mischievous gleam to her eyes.

"That's insane! Blasphemous. Putting fruit on pizza?" Mike shook his head, horrified yet intrigued.

"Try it," Scarlett urged, picking up another slice and playfully bringing it toward Mike's face. "Come on, just one bite!"

"No! Scarlett, get that thing away!" Mike shrieked, leaning back dramatically in his seat, his hands flailing as if he could ward off the offending slice.

Argyle seized the moment, putting Mike in a headlock with a laugh. "Come on, my dude!" he said, using the playful grip to keep Mike from escaping.

"Let me go! I'm not trying that!" Mike protested, though a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth despite his faux outrage.

Scarlett giggled at the playful chaos unfolding, feeling a warmth spread in her chest. Moments like this, filled with laughter and camaraderie, made all the danger they faced seem a little more bearable. With friends like these, she felt ready to tackle whatever came next. "Just one bite, Freckles! For old times' sake!" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Fine! But only if you promise not to electroshock me again!" Mike relented, a mock-serious expression on his face as he begrudgingly leaned toward the slice.

"Deal!" Scarlett declared, her laughter echoing around them, blending with the warmth of the pizza and the lightheartedness of the moment. In that instant, surrounded by friends and the comforting chaos of their lives, everything felt right again.

The dim light of the room flickered above, casting a soft glow as Will focused intently on the tub before him. He stirred the coarse salt into the water, watching it dissolve slowly, the grains swirling around like tiny galaxies. The air was filled with a briny scent, a stark contrast to the lingering traces of pine from the wooden surroundings. Harvey leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing Will with an intensity that made his pulse quicken.

"Hey, Will?" Harvey's voice broke the quiet, laced with a hint of hesitation that piqued Will's curiosity.

"Yeah?" Will glanced up, his brow furrowing as he noticed the slight tremor in Harvey's hands.

"I, uh... I need to tell you something." Harvey took a deep breath, the tension in the air palpable as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I like you, Will. Like, really like you."

The confession hung there, heavy and full of meaning. Will's heart raced, but rather than excitement, confusion crashed over him like a wave. "You mean as a friend?" he blurted out, his tone awkward and uncertain, completely missing the point of what Harvey was trying to convey.

Harvey's expression fell, the flicker of hope extinguished as hurt washed over his features. "No, not just as a friend. I thought you felt the same way," he replied, his voice dropping as if the air had been sucked out of the room.

"I... I don't know what to say," Will stammered, his mind swirling. The weight of the moment pressed on him, leaving him scrambling for the right response. "I like you, but-"

"Maybe you should think about it more before you say anything," Harvey interrupted, his voice strained and edged with disappointment. "I can't believe I even said anything. I thought we had something."

With that, Harvey turned sharply, striding away from the tub, leaving Will standing there, rooted to the spot, feeling like a weight had settled in his stomach. "Harvey, wait!" Will called after him, his voice tinged with urgency, but Harvey was already through the door, leaving him in a haze of confusion and regret.

Will sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He replayed the conversation in his mind, wishing he could take back the words that had come out wrong. Maybe he did like Harvey more than just a friend. Maybe he needed to figure this out, but for now, he decided to give Harvey some space.

As Harvey stepped outside, the night air hit him like a splash of cold water, sharp and invigorating. He walked aimlessly, trying to shake off the sting of rejection, and spotted Mike nearby, leaning against the wall with a slice of pizza in hand.

"Hey," Harvey said, attempting to sound casual, but the flatness in his voice betrayed his mood.

"Hey, what's up?" Mike replied, his mouth full of Hawaiian pizza. He grimaced as he swallowed, a look of pure disdain crossing his face. "Ugh, this is disgusting."

"Really?" Harvey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's wrong with it?"

"It's pineapple on pizza! Who even thought that was a good idea?" Mike exclaimed, holding the slice up like it was a crime against humanity.

"You're just saying that because you don't want to admit it's good," Harvey shot back, crossing his arms defensively, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips despite himself.

"Good? No way! It's actually disgusting. I mean, fruit on pizza? What's next, putting strawberries on a cheeseburger?" Mike laughed, shaking his head as he tossed the pizza slice back onto the box as if it were on fire.

"Come on! You haven't even tried it!" Harvey insisted, feeling a surge of playful defiance. "You can't knock it until you've tasted it!"

"Dude, I stand by my principles. Pineapple has no place on pizza. It's an abomination," Mike said, pointing at the pizza as if it were an unspeakable horror.

Harvey couldn't help but chuckle at Mike's over-the-top reaction. "You're a lost cause, you know that?" he said, shaking his head.

"Hey, don't blame me for having good taste. At least I'm not trying to ruin pizza for everyone," Mike retorted, wiping his mouth dramatically.

As they continued to banter, the earlier weight of the conversation with Will slowly faded into the background. Harvey appreciated the distraction, the laughter lightening his mood, the camaraderie between them. It was good to have Mike's company, even if it didn't solve the confusion he felt about Will.

"So, you seriously think this is bad?" Mike asked, gesturing back at the pizza box.

"Absolutely," Harvey affirmed, crossing his arms with a smirk. "But if you're going to hate it, at least try it first. You might surprise yourself."

"Fine, but if I throw up, it's on you," Mike challenged, picking up another slice, eyeing it like it might explode.

Harvey chuckled, watching as Mike took a tentative bite, chewing slowly. Mike's expression shifted from curiosity to outright disgust, and he quickly spit it out into the nearest trash can.

"See?" Mike said, wiping his mouth dramatically. "Told you. This is the worst."

As Mike continued to complain, Harvey found himself smiling, a mix of amusement and relief flooding through him. Somewhere in his heart, he hoped for a chance to talk to Will again, to clear the air and figure out what they could be. But for now, with laughter and pizza antics, he felt a little lighter, ready to face whatever came next.

Scarlett floated in the darkness, the world around her swallowed by the void, the silence almost deafening. The sunglasses pressed against her face served as a barrier between her reality and the intense battle ahead. She could feel the energy of her friends surrounding her, their presence comforting in this moment of uncertainty.

"Focus on Max," Eleven encouraged, her voice steady despite the tension in the air. Mike nodded beside her, his expression determined. "You've got this, Scarlett. We're right here with you."

Scarlett took a deep breath, feeling the cool water envelop her, as she settled her sunglasses in place, cutting off the last remnants of light. She concentrated, shutting her eyes momentarily before reopening them to a swirl of shadows and whispers. "I've got to find her," she murmured, and the water shifted around her, guiding her deeper into the abyss.

Suddenly, she was pulled into a vision, her senses sharpened as she found herself witnessing a scene unfold before her. Max and Lucas appeared, their figures flickering like distant stars in the void, illuminated by a soft, blue glow. "I found them. They're carrying a light. A blue light," Scarlett informed her friends, her voice steady but laced with urgency. She observed Max walking cautiously, the blue light illuminating her path as she approached something unseen.

As the light brightened, Max closed her eyes, and Scarlett could feel the tension in the air thickening. "What are you waiting for, asshole? Hmm? I'm right here. I'm right here!" Max's voice echoed with a raw intensity that reverberated through Scarlett. It was clear-Max was trying to lure Henry out of the shadows, to confront him directly.

"Okay, Scar, what's going on?" Mike's voice pierced through the void, laced with concern.

"It's not working. Max is trying to lure Henry, but he isn't coming. Her plan isn't working!" Scarlett rambled, feeling a knot form in her stomach as she watched helplessly.

Max sat down, placing the light on the ground beside her. As she removed her headphones and Walkman, Scarlett could see the pain etched on her friend's face. "I thought about what you said. About how I wanted Scarlett's brother-our brother-to die," Max began, her voice trembling, and Scarlett's heart sank.

Scarlett dropped to her knees in the void, her mind racing. She wished she could physically reach out to Max, to comfort her. Tears filled her eyes as she listened to Max's painful confession. "I thought you were just trying to upset me. To anger me. But you weren't, were you? You were just telling the truth."

Max continued, revealing her darkest thoughts, recounting how Billy had tormented both of them, how Scarlett had been the strong one, always defending herself. The memories flooded back to Scarlett, bringing a mix of sorrow and regret. "I remember the first time I met her, and we immediately clicked. We were like sisters, and we are," Max said, her voice thick with emotion.

The anguish in Max's words pierced through Scarlett, and she felt an overwhelming urge to tell her friend that she didn't hate her. "I don't hate you, Max!" she cried, her voice echoing in the void, but she knew Max couldn't hear her. She wished she had been there for her, that she had confronted Henry, that she had saved Max from this pain.

"I wanted him out of my life. Forever. I wanted him to disappear," Max's voice broke, and Scarlett sobbed, wishing desperately to comfort her. "The day that he died... I think that's why I just stood there. I watched Scarlett cry over his dead body, not because I was scared or weak, but because... I didn't know if he deserved to be saved."

Scarlett's heart ached at Max's honesty. She had struggled with those feelings too, and the weight of her grief hung heavily in the air.

"And I know Scarlett wanted to save him. I've tried to forgive myself. I've never told Scarlett this because I'm scared she'll hate me," Max confessed, her words echoing hauntingly.

"I could never hate you!" Scarlett shouted into the void, tears streaming down her cheeks. She felt powerless, watching as Max's eyes suddenly turned white, a clear sign that Henry had her. "He has her!" she shouted to the others, a mix of panic and determination flooding her voice.

"Show me, Max. It's gonna be okay. Just hold on," Scarlett urged, taking Max's hand in her mind and closing her eyes tightly. She focused on their connection, willing her energy to reach out to Max, to let her know she wasn't alone.

In that moment, the void pulsed with energy, and Scarlett felt the pull of their bond, the warmth of friendship overcoming the darkness. She concentrated on finding a way to reach Max, to bring her back from the brink, knowing that together, they could confront whatever horror awaited them.

The void around Scarlett began to shimmer and swirl, and as she opened her eyes, she found herself standing at the familiar skatepark, the air thick with the scent of asphalt and the sound of laughter. "What's happening now?" Eleven asked, her voice filled with curiosity and concern.

"I'm in a memory," Scarlett replied, her gaze sweeping over the scene. Skaters glided effortlessly across the concrete, performing tricks and flips that sent adrenaline coursing through the air.

"Do you see her? Do you see Max?" Will asked, a hint of urgency in his tone.

"Not yet. But I remember this day," Scarlett said, her heart racing with nostalgia. She walked through the throng of skaters, each face a blur, until her eyes fell on a group gathered at the edge of the park. A tall teenager was taunting her younger self and Max, his smirk dripping with condescension.

"Shouldn't you two be playing with dolls or something?" the teen sneered, his voice laced with mockery.

Scarlett's breath hitched as she recognized the younger version of herself-her hair a rich brown, carefree and vibrant-skating alongside a younger Max, whose defiance radiated like a shield.

"Shouldn't you bag your face?" younger Max shot back, flipping the teen off, her attitude fierce and unapologetic. Scarlett couldn't help but smile at the memory, recalling the pride she felt in Max's boldness as she rollerbladed around, giggling, her laughter mingling with the sounds of the park.

As she took in the scene, the faint echo of a song reached her ears, a melody she recognized all too well-the same one from the Snowball two years ago. "I found her, but I hear music..." Scarlett trailed off, her brow furrowing in confusion.

"I think it's a memory within a memory," she added, her heart racing as she felt a pull toward the sound. She concentrated, and with a sudden rush, the world around her shifted again.

Scarlett found herself standing on a bridge, the city skyline shimmering in the distance. A stereo table stood nearby, speakers pulsing with the familiar tune. The moment was vibrant, electric, and she could feel the emotions of that day washing over her like a tide.

Scarlett closed her eyes, concentrating with every ounce of her being. She envisioned the warm, familiar space of the Snowball, hoping to be pulled into the memory that flickered just out of reach. When she finally opened her eyes, the scene around her was exactly as she remembered: the vibrant decorations, the laughter of her friends, and the faint glow of twinkling lights. But then, she heard it-the chilling sound of Henry's voice taunting Max.

With a surge of anger and protectiveness, Scarlett thrust her hand forward, unleashing a wave of electricity that crackled through the air, catching Henry off guard and slamming him into the wall with a loud thud. She pushed through the tinsel that separated her from Max, who looked up, eyes wide with disbelief.

"Scar?" Max breathed, her voice shaky. Scarlett rushed to help her up, their hands gripping tightly.

"A-are you real? Did I make you?" Max stammered, her eyes scanning Scarlett as if she were a mirage.

"I'm real," Scarlett assured her, a smile breaking through the tension.

Max's gaze fell to Scarlett's hair, which now cascaded down her shoulders in wild, unkempt waves. "Your hair..."

"Long story short, Brennar came back and cut my hair," Scarlett chuckled lightly, trying to ease the heaviness in the air. "Are you okay?"

"Y-yeah," Max replied, but the tremor in her voice betrayed her unease. "How are you here?"

"I piggybacked from a pizza dough freezer," Scarlett said, the humor of the situation bubbling beneath the surface.

Max blinked at her in disbelief. "What?"

Before Scarlett could explain further, a rustling sound broke the moment, pulling their attention. "Stay here," she instructed, instinctively stepping back into the fray, ready to confront Henry.

He stood there, a smug grin plastered across his face. "If you touch her again, I will end you," Scarlett threatened, her voice low and filled with resolve.

"We'll see about that," Henry taunted, extending his arms wide. "This... is going to be beautiful." With a flick of his wrist, various objects began to float around him, swirling ominously in the air.

Scarlett braced herself as he hurled the items at her, instinctively screaming out as she shot electricity at them, attempting to deflect the assault. But Henry was relentless; he retaliated with a swift movement, slamming Scarlett into the wall with tremendous force. Pain radiated through her body as darkness began to creep into her vision, and she felt herself slipping away.

Back in reality, the lights in the room shattered, plunging everything into chaos.

"Scarlett?" Mike's voice pierced through the noise, laced with panic.

When Scarlett didn't respond, Eleven's face turned grim. "We need to take her out of the tub right now."

The tension escalated as everyone rushed to Scarlett's side, quickly lifting her from the tub. As they placed her onto the table, her body began to shake violently, a sign of the battle raging within her.

"Scarlett, come back to us!" Mike urged, desperation evident in his voice as he knelt beside her, gripping her hand tightly, hoping to anchor her back to reality.

With her friends gathered around her, the fight against Henry was far from over, and Scarlett's spirit needed to return-before it was too late.

Scarlett fluttered her eyes open, disoriented as the warmth of the Snowball faded away. Instead, she found herself standing in a cold, distorted landscape-the eerie Upside Down, a twisted reflection of her own mind. Panic surged within her as she realized she was pinned against a heavy door, the sinister vines of the Upside Down coiling tightly around her arms and legs, holding her captive. The relentless ticking of countless clocks echoed ominously in the air, each tick a reminder of time slipping away, just as Max was in peril.

As she struggled to break free, her heart raced. A shadow loomed in the distance, and as the figure drew closer, her breath caught in her throat. It was Henry, striding toward her with an air of malice. Draped over his shoulder was a limp form-the unmistakable outline of Max. The sight of her friend unconscious sent a wave of dread crashing over Scarlett, and her body responded with an instinctual urgency.

"Max!" she cried out, desperation clawing at her throat. But before she could make a move, Henry dropped Max carelessly to the cold ground like a discarded doll. In an instant, the sinister vines reached out again, snaking toward Max and binding her, holding her against the wall. Scarlett's heart sank as she watched helplessly.

"No, no..." she sobbed, tears pricking her eyes. "Let her go! Take me instead!" The words poured out, laced with anguish, as she fought against the constricting vines that bound her. But her pleas fell on deaf ears.

Henry approached her, an unsettling calm in his demeanor as he glared at Scarlett. "I don't understand why you are doing this," she cried, her voice trembling as he moved closer. "You've betrayed me, Seven. Now you're going to get what you deserve. First, it was your brother... now your sister," he said coldly, a sinister smirk playing on his lips.

Scarlett's heart raced as she watched him turn away, making his way toward Max. The sight of Henry's outstretched hand hovering ominously above Max's face sent shivers of terror coursing through her. In that moment, Scarlett could see the light dimming in Max's eyes, and a piercing fear gripped her.

"NO! Let her go!" Scarlett shouted, desperation boiling over. Her body surged with power as she struggled against the vines, the energy within her building. But the more she fought, the tighter the vines became, constricting around her throat, cutting off her air supply.

In the real world, Scarlett's body reacted violently. She gasped for air, her muscles straining against the invisible grip of the nightmare.

"Scar, get outta there!" Mike's voice pierced through the haze of fear and pain.

"Scarlett, wake up!" Eleven and Harvey shouted in unison, their urgency snapping at the edges of her consciousness.

Mike grasped Scarlett's hand, his grip firm and reassuring. "Mike! Don't stop. Okay? You're her lightning," Will urged, his voice breaking as he watched Scarlett struggle.

"Scar? I don't know if you can hear this, but... if you can, I want you to know I'm here, okay? I'm right here. And... I love you!" Mike's words echoed through the void, a lifeline cutting through the darkness surrounding her.

Tears streamed down Scarlett's cheeks as she fought against the suffocating vines. She could feel the weight of despair pressing down on her, threatening to pull her under.

"Scarlett, do you hear me? I love you. I'm sorry I don't say it more. It's not because I'm scared of you. I'm not. I've never felt this way. Never. But I am scared that one day you'll realize you don't need me anymore. And I thought if I said how I felt, it would somehow make that day hurt more. But the truth is, Scar, I don't know how to live without you. I feel like my life started that day you walked into Mr. Clarke's class. I was depressed; I lost Eleven. I wanted her back-she was the first girl I liked. But the moment I saw you, I fell in love. You don't let people walk over you or anyone. I've loved you every day since. I love you on your good or bad days. I don't care if you have powers or not; I still love you always. I love you for exactly who you are. You're my superhero!"

Mike's heartfelt declaration surged through her like a bolt of electricity, igniting a fire within her soul. In that moment of clarity, Scarlett screamed, her voice raw and powerful, unleashing an overwhelming surge of energy. The vines released their grip, and she thrust her arm outward, crackling electricity shooting from her fingers like a wild storm. The surge of power engulfed Henry, sending him crashing backward into the wall, the impact reverberating through the air as Max fell to the ground, free but vulnerable.

In an instant, the world around Scarlett began to dissolve, the chilling landscape of the Upside Down fading away until she was engulfed in the void, a swirling mass of darkness.

"Hurry! Call an ambulance!" Lucas's voice echoed through the emptiness, his tone frantic and urgent, pulling her back into reality.

Scarlett whipped around, her heart racing as she saw Lucas cradling Max in his arms, blood streaming from her eyes, the lifelessness in her gaze striking a chord of panic deep within Scarlett's chest.

"Oh my god! Max!" Scarlett shouted, falling to her knees in anguish as the reality of the situation crashed over her.

"Lucas..." Max murmured weakly, her voice fragile and broken, barely above a whisper.

"Yes, yes, I'm here. I'm here," Lucas stammered, his face a mask of concern as he desperately tried to reassure Max, his hands trembling as he held her close.

"I-I can't feel or... see anything," Max cried, her fear palpable, sending chills down Scarlett's spine.

Scarlett's heart shattered at the sight of her friend in such a state. "I know. I know. It's okay. We're gonna get you help, okay?" But even as she spoke, the despair clawed at her heart, the weight of their situation pressing heavily on her.

Then, with a start, Scarlett's eyes shot open. Mike enveloped her in a tight embrace, grounding her in the present, pulling her back from the precipice of despair.

"Guys, we need to go now," she sobbed, her voice thick with emotion as the urgency of the situation hung heavily in the air. They had to act fast-Max needed them, and Scarlett wouldn't let her sister slip away into the darkness. The bond they shared was strong, and Scarlett was determined to fight for it, no matter the cost.

TWO DAYS LATER

The ride back to Hawkins felt interminable, the weight of anxiety thickening the air inside the car. Two days had passed since they had left, and now, as they approached the familiar town, a sense of foreboding settled over Scarlett and her friends. The streets that once bustled with life were now choked with the hurried movements of people evacuating. Faces filled with fear flashed past the windows, their urgency amplifying the knot in Scarlett's stomach.

As they drove deeper into town, the scene turned more chaotic. Flames danced ominously in the distance, illuminating the night sky, while cracks spider-webbed through the asphalt, a testament to the devastation that had befallen Hawkins. Each passing moment intensified Scarlett's sense of dread, her heart racing at the thought of Max and what she might be enduring.

When they finally pulled up at the Wheeler's house, Dustin emerged, his face pale and drawn. "Max is in the hospital," he said, his voice heavy with worry. The words hit Scarlett like a physical blow, and she felt the air leave her lungs. They hurried to the hospital, a haze of urgency surrounding them.

Inside, the sterile scent of antiseptic stung Scarlett's nose as they rushed to Max's room. The sight that greeted them was jarring: Max lay in a hospital bed, her body encased in casts, a look of fragile vulnerability etched onto her face. Scarlett tried to reach into Max's mind, hoping to find a flicker of consciousness, but all she encountered was a profound emptiness. Panic surged within her. How could she be gone?

Feeling the weight of her helplessness, Scarlett's thoughts turned to Henry. She needed to get back at him, to make him pay for what he had done. The anger roiling inside her propelled her out of the hospital, her friends trailing behind. She needed clarity, a plan.

After a quick meeting at the hospital, they decided to head to El's cabin, hoping to put things back together, both physically and mentally. The drive was somber, the tension thick as they reached the familiar place nestled in the woods. Scarlett stepped onto the porch, sinking into a chair as she attempted to collect her thoughts.

What are we going to do? She gazed into the distance, her mind racing with strategies for revenge against Henry. It was then that she noticed a government car rolling up the gravel driveway, her heart jumping to her throat. Not again, she thought.

Instinctively, she stood and unleashed a swirling blast of electricity toward the vehicle, a crackling whirlpool of energy erupting from her fingertips. Just as the blast reached the car, the door swung open, and out stepped Hopper, his expression a mixture of surprise and annoyance.

"Seriously, kid?" he said, shaking his head as he walked toward her, brushing off the lingering sparks in the air.

"Holy shit!? You're alive?" Scarlett exclaimed, a mix of disbelief and relief flooding her senses.

"Long story. I'll explain later," Hopper replied, glancing back at the car before looking at her earnestly. "El inside?"

Scarlett nodded, her heart racing with the rush of seeing him alive.

It wasn't long before Carrie emerged from the car, a flash of familiarity that made Scarlett's heart ache. "Scarlett!" she called, her voice laced with urgency. "We need to get you back to California."

"Mom, I need to stay here!" Scarlett protested, desperation creeping into her voice. "My friends, Max-they all need me!"

Carrie's face softened, but her resolve remained firm. "Okay, okay. You're going to stay in this cabin with Eleven and Hopper. In the meantime, I'm going back to Lenora Hills to tie up some loose ends."

Scarlett felt a surge of frustration bubbling within her. "No! You don't understand. There's too much at stake here! We can't just leave."

Their conversation was abruptly interrupted when snow-like particles began to fall from the sky, twinkling against the fading light. The atmosphere shifted dramatically as everyone turned to see what was happening. They walked through the woods, the crunch of snow beneath their feet echoing eerily in the silence.

The group reached a field where the air felt heavy, the ground beginning to wither before their eyes, a sign that the Upside Down was invading Hawkins yet again. The color drained from the grass, and the trees began to droop, as if life was being siphoned from the very earth.

Scarlett squeezed Mike's hand tightly, their fingers entwined as they faced the unfolding chaos. Harvey and Will stood closely together, their expressions grave. Joyce, Hopper, and Carrie clustered nearby, watching the decay with a mix of horror and determination.

As they stood united, the realization dawned on them: the battle was far from over, and they would need to fight together once again against the encroaching darkness. The weight of their friendship and shared purpose bolstered Scarlett, and she steeled herself for the challenges that lay ahead. She would not let her friends down; she would protect them, and she would find a way to stop Henry once and for all.

ASH SPEAKS!

and thats a wrap on season 4... i will see you guys in 2025!! sorry for being lazy at the end there

i will miss scarlett dearly and cannot wait to write her story again :)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!
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