chapter twenty.
tw: mentions of puking, getting stabbed and violence, choking
i think out gayness is rubbing off on her.
✨
disclaimer: I hope everything in Spanish is accurate!! I used Spanishdict like someone told me too !! Hopefully it's correct :)) but thank you to that person (I forgot their username, my bad)

PLEASE DONT BE A GHOST READER!!!
VOTE AND COMMENT!!! IT HELPS US WRITERS STAY MOTIVATED:)

introducing . . .
oscar issac as hector cortez

STRANGER THINGS 3
episode four

JOSEFINA CORTEZ SPENT THE NIGHT AT HER HOUSE ALL ALONE. Josie anxiously waited at home, her concern growing as her mom failed to return. The absence of Charlotte added an extra layer of mystery; she was simply MIA. Despite the unease, Josie hesitated to use her burgeoning telekinetic abilities to locate her friend – it was a skill she was still mastering.

Clutching a coke can in her hand, Josie decided to experiment. Each time she flicked her head to the side, a subtle attempt to change the TV channel using her telekinetic energy, she felt the excitement and frustration of a novice trying to unlock the full potential of her extraordinary gift.

With nothing captivating on the screen, Josie sighed, her head thrown back after a satisfying gulp of soda. Flickering her eyes toward the wall clock, a subtle realization crossed her face – time seemed to linger, echoing the uncertainty of her current predicament.

8:09 am

The morning dragged on, with Josie anxiously waiting for her mom and Charlotte. The silence in the room echoed the absence of their familiar presence. Realizing they weren't returning anytime soon, she made a decision. Sliding off the couch, she marched over to the dated wall phone, fingers dialing Max's number with a mix of worry and determination.

As the line connected, Josie expected to hear Max's voice, but instead, it was El who responded. The unexpected twist threw her off as she started to speak, "Hey, Max, I was wondering if we could talk..." Before she could finish, El's curt interruption pierced through the line, "Not Max. Meet us over at Mike's. Code red." The call ended abruptly, leaving Josie with a racing heart and a cascade of questions.

Feeling a surge of urgency, Josie sprang into action, getting ready with a mix of determination and concern etched on her face. Hastily grabbing her shoes, she headed out the door, the unknown awaiting her on the other side. In the midst of uncertainty, she held onto the hope that everything would ultimately be okay.

JOSIE GETS TO THE WHEELER HOUSEHOLD BEFORE THE TWO OTHER GIRLS DO. Ascending the front porch steps, the Cortez girl's eyes focused on the door ahead, contemplating the imminent reunion on the other side. A brief hesitation, then her finger pressed the doorbell. As she waited, a subtle gesture revealed a mix of nerves and nostalgia – hands finding refuge in the pockets of her dad's jacket. Its worn fabric told tales of shared moments, a tangible connection to a missing presence.

The jacket, long untouched, now embraced her with a familiar warmth. It wasn't just a garment; it was a piece of her past she clung to. A silent tribute to her dad, it became the only clean option that harmonized with her chosen outfit.

In that quiet moment, surrounded by the faint echoes of memories, a wave of yearning washed over her. Missing her dad acutely, she closed her eyes briefly, wishing against reality for the chance to see him again, if only for a fleeting embrace.

Rocking on her heels, impatience gripped her as time seemed to stretch endlessly. The distant hum of a passing plane diverted her attention, prompting her to gaze upward. Hovering a hand above her forehead, she shielded her eyes from the bright sun, a momentary escape from the anticipation on the front porch.

Josie's repeated press on the doorbell broke the monotony, and the anticipation reached its peak as footsteps approached. The door swung open, revealing Mrs. Wheeler with a gentle smile. "Oh, hello, Josefina! Mike and the boys are in the basement," she warmly informed, her voice carrying a sense of familiarity.

Josie reciprocated Mrs. Wheeler's warm smile, expressing her gratitude. "Okay, thank you, Mrs. Wheeler," she nodded politely, brushing past her. Making her way to the basement door, Josie descended the stairs. At the bottom, a scene of palpable tension unfolded – Mike pacing anxiously, a display of nervous energy. Observing him biting his nails, lost in thought, Josie sensed a deeper concern lingering in the air.

"Are you okay?" Josie's concern cut through the tension as she approached Mike, her hand gently resting on his shoulder. The abrupt pause in his pacing was met with surprise when he looked over his shoulder, realizing she was addressing him. There was no trace of anger in her demeanor, and the absence of Max by her side added a layer of unexpected reassurance.

Raising an eyebrow, Josie confronted Mike's surprised gaze. "Uhm, Mike, are you okay?" she reiterated, her voice carrying a note of concern. Mike blinked, as if snapping out of a reverie, and finally responded, "You're not with Max and El?" Josie withdrew her hand from his shoulder, sensing a mix of confusion and curiosity in his reaction.

A soft laugh escaped Josie's lips as she turned away from Mike, approaching Will. He shifted on the edge of the couch, making room for her as she took a seat. "Hey," she greeted him with a gentle smile, sensing his visible distress. "Hi," he replied. Josie, crossing her legs, turned her attention towards Mike. "Max and I got into a fight, so I went home," she explained, nonchalantly shrugging her shoulders.

Will cleared his throat. "Where's Dustin and Charlotte?" he asked, his voice soft and kind. Josie laughed, her tone laced with sarcasm. "Great question! My dear old best friend ditched me for him. I haven't seen her in two days," she explained, looking down at her lap and fiddling with her hands.

The Byers boy frowned. "Oh, I'm sorry, Josie," he apologized as the Cortez girl looked over at him. "It's fine..." she trailed off. "So, why am I here?" she inquired as Mike and Lucas looked directly at Will. Josie turned her head as Will bit his lip. "Let's wait until Max and Eleven are here..." he suggested, hinting at the importance of their collective presence for whatever awaited them.

MAX AND EL ARRIVED SHORTLY AFTER JOSIE DID. They all gathered around Will, forming an attentive circle. "I didn't think it was anything at first. I mean, I think I just didn't want to believe it," he explained, his voice carrying a mix of uncertainty and concern. Josie sat beside him on the couch, biting her nails anxiously. The room held a tense atmosphere as everyone awaited the revelation.

In her peripheral vision, Josie caught Max staring at her. Curiosity and unease lingered in Max's gaze. Josie turned her head slightly, meeting Max's eyes. However, Max quickly averted her gaze, adding an unspoken layer of tension to the room. Will continued, "The first time I felt it was at Day of the Dead," his words hanging in the air, setting the stage for what was to come.

Mike nodded, connecting the dots. "Power went out that night too," he pointed out, recalling the events. "And then I felt it again at the field near the Nelson farm the next day. Then again yesterday outside Castle Byers," Will continued, each location marked by an ominous occurrence, unraveling a pattern that raised concern among them.

Max furrowed her eyebrows, seeking to understand. "What does it feel like?" she questioned, while El narrowed her eyes in anticipation. "Doesn't it feel like... your stomach drops?" Josie asked, running her hand through her hair. Will snapped his head over to her, a tremor in his voice, "Yeah... how do you know that?" The revelation hung in the air, connecting them all in a shared experience of unease.

Josie remembered back to last year when she tried to help Will and last night when she and Max had their fight. "Just a guess," she muttered. The Cortez girl looked over at Max, frowning her lips as Max avoided eye contact with her. "Can you elaborate?" Mike spoke up, seeking more clarity on the shared sensations they were experiencing.

Will sighed, searching for a relatable analogy. "You know when you drop on a roller coaster?" he inquired.

Josie shook her head. "Nah, too scared."

Mike nodded. "Sure."

"Yeah," Max replied.

El shook her head. "No," she said softly, indicating her lack of experience with the sensation.

"It's like... everything inside your body is just sinking all at once, but... this is worse. Your body... it goes cold and — and you can't breathe," Will elaborated, his description painting a vivid and chilling picture. El's eyes widened in shock, parting her lips in realization of the gravity of the situation.

Josie noticed El's facial expression, her eyebrows slowly furrowing together. "I've felt it before, Will... it was whenever he was close. I haven't been flayed, but... whenever he's close to me, I feel sick... or needing to faint," she shared, revealing her own unsettling experiences with the presence they were discussing.

Will's eyes widened in confusion. "But, you haven't been... flayed?" he asked, giving Josie a puzzled look. She shook her head, indicating that her experiences were different. Max tilted her head, seeking more information. "Whenever who was close?" she interrogated.

Josie and Will exchanged a knowing look, a silent understanding passing between them. Their eyes met for a brief moment before both turning to Max. It was evident that they were both thinking the same thing. In unison, they spoke the words, "The Mind Flayer," the weight of foreboding settling in the room as they connected the unsettling experiences with the looming threat from the Upside Down.

Josie was so engrossed in their conversation that she didn't notice the temperature in the room drop. Suddenly, she felt a shiver go down her spine, and she couldn't help but jump slightly from the sudden chill. She looked around, wondering if anyone else had felt it too. "I closed the gate," Eleven reminded them, a subtle reminder of the lingering threats from the Upside Down despite their efforts to contain them.

Will shut his eyes closed for a moment. "I know, but... what if he never left?" he suggested, looking up from the ground and turning his head. "What if we locked him out here with us?" He locked eyes with El. "Still confused," El stated, expressing her struggle to fully grasp the complex situation they found themselves in.

Josie sat up straight. "Draw us a picture," she suggested. They found a piece of paper and a crayon, gathering at the D&D table. Will slammed the piece of paper down on the table. "This is him," he drew a picture, "all of him, but that day on the field, a part of him attached itself to me," he finished the drawing, visually representing the connection between him and the Mind Flayer.

The Cortez girl looked over his shoulder, recalling the vague memory of seeing it attaching to Will. Then her eyebrows shot up in realization. She gasped softly, making everyone look at her. "Oh my god! I tried to save Will from him that day... I'm guessing he didn't like that, so every time I'm near him, he sees me as a threat!" Josie exclaimed, connecting the dots and unveiling a potential reason for the unsettling experiences she had whenever the Mind Flayer was close.

Will smeared his hand across the drawing. "Josie's right. The Mind Flayer found her as a threat. I don't know why, but whenever she was near, he didn't want to be near her... as if she scared him," he explained. "Wonder why," Josie muttered, crossing her arms against her chest, contemplating the mysterious dynamics between her and the Mind Flayer.

Will's eyes reflected concern as he continued, "My mom got it out of me, and Eleven closed the gate," flipping the paper over to reveal the drawn representation. "But the part that was still in me, what if it's still in our world?" he looked up, sharing the unsettling realization with the group.

Will's hand pressed firmly against the paper, his words etched in ink. "In Hawkins," he stated definitively, and Max, bewildered, shook her head. "I don't understand. The demodogs perished when El sealed the gate. If the brain dies, the body dies," Max insisted, prompting a knowing look from Mike. "We can't afford to be complacent. We must consider the worst-case scenario—the Mind Flayer has returned."

Max fixed her gaze on the drawing, contemplating a suitable retort. She was aware that Josie and El suspected Billy to be the new host, a notion she was reluctant to accept. Despite Billy's flaws, a lingering care for him remained. Will sighed, expressing agreement, "Yeah, and if he is, he'd want to attach himself to someone again. A new me," he nodded solemnly.

Lucas interjected with a discerning tone, "A new host," causing Max to snap her head towards El and Josefina. El, intrigued, questioned, "How can you tell if someone is a host?" Josefina huffed, her frustration evident, "Yeah, and I've got a theory. Billy Hargrove is the new host. Whenever I'm near the guy, I throw up or faint," her sneer conveyed both suspicion and disdain.

Max shot Josefina a glare, delivering a scolding look, but Mike disregarded Max's disapproval. "You two think Billy is a host?" he questioned, receiving a nod from both. "Okay, then. We go to the pool and do a stakeout. He might be the new host," he declared, laying out a plan.

Max scoffed lightly, denying Mike's suspicion. "Mike, he's not a new host," she insisted, but Mike rolled his eyes. "We're not taking any chances, Maxine. We need to assume that he is," he shot back. Max turned to Josefina with a snarling expression, "Thanks a lot, Josefina," she added sarcastically, making Josefina look down at her feet with a hint of sadness.

Max adjusted the binoculars, scrutinizing Billy. "I don't know. He looks pretty normal to me," she opined. Josie, incredulous, fired back, "Normal? How many times have you seen him with a shirt on? I swear, whenever I walk around your house, there's a naked Billy," emphatically pointing at him. Max shrugged nonchalantly, "I mean, it's a little weird," acknowledging the eccentricity with a hint of amusement.

Mike looked at her, adding, "More than a little. He was in a tub with ice. The Mind Flayer likes it cold, plus everything else—" Max cut him off, asserting, "But he's lounging at the pool, which is, like, the least Mind Flayer thing ever," rolling her eyes. Will shook his head, interjecting, "Not necessarily."

The group turned their attention to Will. "The Mind Flayer likes to hide. He only used me when he needed me. It's like... like you're dormant. And then, when he needs you," he explained, glancing over at Billy, "you're activated."

Max clicked her tongue, her mind processing the situation. "Okay, so we just... wait until he gets activated," she speculated, her expression thoughtful. Mike interjected with concern, "No. What if he hurts someone?" The group found themselves at a crossroads, grappling with the potential risks and uncertainties.

Will looked over, adding, "Or kills someone," as Mike nodded in agreement. "We can't take that chance. We need to find out if he's the host," Mike declared. As Wheeler boy walked behind Max and Josie, the boys followed him, heading towards the pool. El called out, "Where are you going?" The tension in the group grew, torn between uncertainty and the need for answers.

"I have an idea. Boys only!" Wheeler boy shouted, prompting Josie to roll her eyes. "Boys," she grumbled, while El sighed and offered a distraction, "I see a hot girl near the bathrooms," signaling Max to talk to Josie as she brushed her shoulder. The group dispersed, each member caught up in their own concerns and strategies.

Josie cleared her throat, a mischievous glint in her eyes. "I think it's working. I believe our gayness is rubbing off on her," she quipped, a smirk playing on her lips. Max's neck audibly popped as she turned to face Josie. Their eyes locked, and Max spoke with a hint of irritation, "You know, we aren't fine, right?"

"I know, and I'm really sorry, Max. What I said... I went too far," Josie's voice quavered as she spoke. "But you gotta know, with my instincts, Billy is working with the bad man. And this bad man, he doesn't like me, and whenever I'm near his host... I feel like throwing up or fainting," she explained, her hands shaking. The weight of uncertainty and fear hung in the air as Josie laid bare her unsettling intuition.

Max's voice was low and measured as she spoke, "I get it, Josie. I just need to know the facts first, not your instincts," she breathed out, her eyes fixed on Josie's face. Josie's eyes widened at Max's words. "I know, Max. I'll find the facts, I promise," her voice filled with determination as Max returned her focus to the binoculars.

Max and Josie stayed near the cars while the others gathered supplies for their sauna test. Mike had mentioned he would be back, yet he hadn't returned. Max anxiously watched Billy through the binoculars, the tension in the air palpable as they awaited Mike's return.

Josie paced back and forth, holding the supercomm in her hand. She raised it to her ear and pressed down on the button. "Mike, are you there?" she inquired. "Yeah!" his response came through, a hint of urgency in his voice.

Josie was taken aback. "You good? Where are you?" she questioned, glancing anxiously at Max. "I'm coming. Just... hold on a second," Mike stammered before turning off the channel. Josie blinked in confusion as the channel went static. She rolled her eyes and handed the supercomm back to Max, uncertainty clouding the air around them.

MIKE TAUNTED BILLY AND LED HIM TO THE SAUNA. El exerted her telekinetic force, sending Billy crashing into the wall, while Josie rushed to her side, swiftly closing and sealing the door. In tandem, Mike, Lucas, and Will acted decisively, sliding a pole through the door handle and securing it with chains.

They retreated to stand behind El and Josie, creating a makeshift barricade. Billy, fueled by a malevolent determination, pounded on the door with relentless force, his grunts reverberating through the room, heightening the sense of urgency.

Suddenly, Billy stopped grunting, and his eyes locked onto Max's. Josie felt relief, realizing she was still fine, confirming that this was Billy and not the Mind Flayer. However, her attention turned to Max. "Max," Billy's voice echoed through the room, causing both Josie and El to look back at her, a sense of concern and apprehension hanging in the air.

"Do it," Max signaled to Will. He hurried over to the thermometer, turning the knob to full blast. Billy continued pounding his hand against the door, shouting, "Max! Let me out of here! Let me out!" His desperate pleas echoed through the room as he breathed heavily, trapped on the other side.

All Josie wanted to do was hug Max and reassure her that everything would be okay, but Max was still angry with her. The uncertainty lingered, and Josie wasn't even sure if they were still dating. Billy glared at them. "You kids... you think this is funny?" he taunted, his words filled with hostility. The tension in the room remained palpable, a mixture of fear and defiance in the face of the unpredictable situation.

El and Josie locked eyes, sharing the same doubt and suspicion about Billy's act. "You kids think this is some kind of sick prank, huh?" he spat on the door, causing Josie to scrunch her nose in disgust. "That's gross," she mumbled to herself. Billy raised his voice, accusing, "You little shits think this is funny?" He slammed his hands on the door, demanding, "What is this? Open the door! Open the door!" The intensity in his words echoed through the room, amplifying the tension.

El jumped back slightly as the Hargrove boy continued repeating his words and actions, causing the room to shake. Billy eventually gave up and sat down on the ground, resembling a whining baby. Josefina rolled her eyes, teasing, "He's whiny," making Max shoot her a burning glare. "I was joking," she stated, but Max shook her head, the tension in the room refusing to dissipate completely.

Will checked the sauna thermometer, informing Max, "We're at 220." As the temperature rose, Billy began to sob, repeatedly saying, "It's not my fault. I promise you, it's not my fault."

Josie furrowed her eyebrows, observing closely as Max walked past her with a deliberate pace. Max and Billy engaged in a tense conversation, his repeated assertions of innocence contrasting with Max's probing questions. She stared at him through the window, her gaze unwavering. "Who made you do it?" she questioned, the room thick with tension. Billy whimpered, his response carrying an air of fear, "I don't know, it was a shadow. Like a giant shadow."

El and Josie looked at Will in shock and then back over to Max. The Cortez girl's heart sank as she could tell Max was beginning to cry, her lips curling into a frown. Billy begged for forgiveness, and Josie noticed Will raising his hand to his neck, a clear indication that Billy was activated. She walked slowly over to Max, placing her hand on her shoulder. "Max, we need to back away," she whispered as Max eyed her. "What?" Max questioned, a mix of confusion and concern in her eyes.

As if time had stretched, Josie witnessed Billy rising, making his way towards the window with a menacing determination. The impending danger loomed, and Mike's urgent shout reached her in slow motion, "MAX, JOSIE, GET AWAY FROM THE DOOR!"

In a sudden burst of action, Josie seized Max's shoulders, yanking her out of harm's way. The two stumbled a few steps, their hearts racing. Time seemed to warp back to normal speed, and as the group looked on in astonishment, Mike vocalized the collective surprise. "Oh my god, Jo, do you have superspeed? You just sped her out of the way. It was like a purple streak," he exclaimed, his confusion mirrored in the expressions of the onlookers.

Frowning, Josie felt her nose trickle with blood. She touched her bloody nose in shock, wiping it away with her jacket sleeve. "What the fuck," she muttered, turning her head to Max, who was in tears. Meanwhile, Billy swung his hand around outside the door, shouting, "Let me out, you bitch! Let me out!" The pole and chains came apart, leaving Josie gaping. She quickly pushed Max over to Lucas, a mix of concern and urgency in her actions.

The Cortez girl rushed to El's side, both putting their arms out in front of their friends. Lucas, holding his slingshot, let go of the rock, hitting Billy in the face. Billy fell back, and the lights began to flicker, accompanied by Billy's grunts. "Oh shit," Josie held her stomach, backing away. "I think I might be sick again," she gagged. She quickly ran out of the sauna room, leaning against a wall and closing her eyes shut, overwhelmed by the unfolding events.

Josie tried to shake off the sickness and muster the strength to rejoin the fight against Billy. Opening her eyes, she felt a jolt of energy surging through her. Confidently, she returned to the sauna room, where El struggled to keep the weight on Billy, holding both arms out and groaning under the strain. Josie braced herself, ready to contribute to their collective effort against the threat they faced.

Billy got a grip on the weight, and El screamed as he threw it back. "DUCK!" Josie screamed, throwing her arm out and freezing the weight in the air. The room tensed, the frozen weight hanging ominously, as they navigated the perilous situation with quick thinking and teamwork.

El ducked, covering her arms over her head as Billy landed back on his feet. He glared at her, declaring, "He doesn't want you here," his voice echoing through the room. Josie smirked in response. "Well, too bad," she said confidently, gently putting the weight back down. The defiance in her actions reflected a determination to stand their ground against the looming threat.

The Cortez girl rushed to El's side, both girls glaring at Billy. Billy smirked, grabbing El's hair and tilting her head back, causing a scream to escape her lips. Josie backed away, ready to intervene depending on his next move to help El. Billy then looked directly at Max, putting his hand around El's neck, intensifying the gravity of the situation.

A gasp escaped from the Cortez girl's lips as she froze, feeling a paralysis in the face of the unfolding horror. El choked for air, smacking Billy's hand as he lifted her in the air. She begged him to stop. Josie, overwhelmed with panic, darted over to Mike, running to pick the pole up from the ground and hitting Billy right upside his head. "Go to hell, you piece of shit!" Mike shouted, attempting another hit. However, Billy grabbed the pole, throwing it to the side and walking Mike into a wall.

El caught her breath on the ground as the Cortez girl took a few steps forward, fueled by the determination to retaliate against Billy. However, she was momentarily distracted, thinking she saw a glimpse of her dad in the corner. "Dad?" she mumbled, but snapped out of it when she felt an intense pain shoot through her hair.

Looking down, she found a pencil stuck in her hair, and she fell to her knees, groaning in pain. Tears welled in her eyes as she looked up to see Billy smirking, walking back over to El. El stood up, groaning, and lifted him in the air, walking in a circle, shifting the momentum in their favor.

Josie held her hand in pain, cursing in Spanish, "Ah, ¡joder! Esta mierda duele. ¡Maldita sea! Jodidamente odio a Billy," grunting through the discomfort. Max rushed to her side, wrapping an arm around her, offering both physical and emotional support. "It's gonna be okay, darling," she reassured, their bond strengthening amidst the chaos, a testament to their enduring friendship.

TRANSLATION; ah, fuck! this shit hurts. god damn it! fucking hate billy.

Josie stared down at her hand, feeling like all her power was draining away. She whimpered, and Max held her tightly. El threw Billy through a wall, leaving a huge hole in the brick. "Need help," she whispered, her lips quivering, revealing the vulnerability beneath her formidable abilities. The toll of the battle weighed heavy on them, both physically and emotionally.

"El!" Max called out for her, and El looked back over, her eyes widening. She ran over and kneeled in front of Josie. "This is hurt," El stated as she held her hand out, her concern evident in her expression. The camaraderie and care between them cut through the chaos of the moment.

A shooting pain surged up Josie's arm. "¡Vete a la mierda! ¡Joder! ¡Mierda! Esto duele. ¡Aghh!" she screamed in Max's arms. El groaned, pulling the pencil out of Josie's hand and tossing it to the side. The room echoed with their shared pain, the aftermath of the intense struggle against Billy's aggression.

TRANSLATION; fuck me! fuck! shit! this hurts. aghh

Josie cried in Max's arms, expressing her pain. "It hurts, sunshine. It hurts," she sobbed, while Max comforted her, rubbing Josie's arms. "It'll be okay. Just don't look," Max whispered as Josie closed her eyes. Lucas wrapped his bandana around her hand, working to prevent any further bleeding, the makeshift bandage a small gesture of solidarity amidst the turmoil.

—

ash speaks!

this is a very long chapter,
but now we kinda know why
the mind flayer doesn't like josie,
but theres still more...
also josie seeing her dad?!
what do i have my sleeve mwahahah