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Cassidy and Max moved gracefully around Eleven's room, their hands intertwined in a rhythmic dance. As Eleven perused the magazines, Max, caught up in the music, began singing along. The lively atmosphere prompted Cassidy and Max to playfully leap onto Eleven's bed, where they settled on either side of her. "Oh, you stumbled upon Ralph Macchio," Max exclaimed with a wide grin. Perplexed, Eleven softly queried, "Macchio?"

"Yeah, he's the Karate Kid! Hi-yah!" Max theatrically mimicked a karate chop, sparking shared laughter between Cassidy and Eleven in the cozy room.

Cassidy's attention was ensnared when she glimpsed her own reflection in the periphery, triggering a surge in her breath, which began to crescendo into audible intensity. "Cass? Cassidy!" Max's alarmed shout pierced through Cassidy's momentary daze, prompting her to pivot and confront the worried gaze of her girlfriend. "Are you okay?" Max questioned, her hand reaching out to firmly grasp Cassidy's. "Uh... Yeah. I'll just be right back... I need to go to the bathroom," Cassidy responded, her attempt at nonchalance only thinly veiling the disquiet beneath the surface.

She extricated her hand from Max's grip and navigated the room with a measured pace, concealing the disconcertment that had seized her upon encountering her own likeness.

Cassidy, feeling a sense of urgency, stood up abruptly and exited the room, leaving Max with a mix of worry and curiosity. As the door closed behind her, Cassidy hurriedly locked herself in the bathroom. Inside, she leaned over the sink, her hands gripping the edges, and splashed her face with cold water in an attempt to shake off the unsettling feeling.

In the midst of the bathroom's faint hum, Cassidy was startled by a voice that seemed to materialize from the shadows, whispering her name: "Cassie..." The echo lingered, and Cassidy turned, her eyes widening at the sight of her own clone. Instinctively, she took a step back, a mix of fear and confusion etched across her face. "What do you want?" Cassidy whispered-yelled, aware of the need for discretion in case her words reached the ears of others in the adjacent room.

"You don't need to whisper; time is slowed down right now. I just want to talk," her clone responded, the calmness in her voice contrasting with the surreal situation. Cassidy, still processing the strangeness of the encounter, hesitated before cautiously allowing the conversation to unfold.

Cassidy's anxiety tightened as she swallowed nervously. "What do you want?" she repeated, her tone a blend of unease and urgency. The clone's smirk persisted, adding an eerie undertone to the atmosphere. "We got another flayed person," her clone revealed with a chilling nonchalance.

A shiver ran down Cassidy's spine as she pressed, "Who?" The answer came, laden with gravity, "Heather Holloway." The name hung in the air, casting a shadow over Cassidy's already troubled thoughts.

"The lifeguard?" Cassidy questioned, her concern deepening. Her clone nodded in confirmation. "By the way, if you do use your abilities at the same time as Eleven, Mildred, or Theodore, their abilities won't work. It's something we added to your new flayed abilities," her clone explained. Cassidy's thoughts raced, and she couldn't help but interject, "Wait, Mildred doesn't have any abil—"

As Cassidy grappled with the revelation from her clone, a knock on the door interrupted the perplexing encounter, causing the doppelganger to vanish mysteriously. Opening the door, Cassidy found Eleven on the other side. "Are you okay?" Eleven asked with concern. "Yes," Cassidy responded, attempting to conceal the inner turmoil.

Eleven's demeanor shifted, and she grinned. "Okay, well, I have an idea, and you're doing it with me." Cassidy's curiosity piqued, and she asked, "What is it?" Eleven leaned in conspiratorially, "We're gonna spy on Mike through the void." A mix of intrigue and uncertainty crossed Cassidy's face as she processed the unexpected proposition from her friend.

Cassidy embraced the idea with enthusiasm, nodding in agreement. The two girls retrieved blindfolds and returned to Eleven's room, where Max awaited with a radio in hand. Seated side by side on the floor, Cassidy and Eleven prepared for the unusual adventure into the void, blindfolds in place, ready to spy on Mike.

Max handed the radio to Eleven, who skillfully adjusted it to emit static. The room became charged with anticipation as the two girls secured their blindfolds. Cassidy, fixated on the thought of Mike, closed her eyes, feeling the peculiar tug of the void – a realm accessible to her due to her being flayed. Yet, amidst the disorienting transition, she realized Eleven hadn't joined her in this ethereal space.

As Cassidy descended further into the void, blood began to drip from her nose, a physical manifestation of the strain. The surroundings blurred, sounds distorted, and she became isolated from the audible realm. Cassidy, navigating this mysterious dimension alone, yearned for Eleven's presence, wondering when they would truly sync in their spying venture through the enigmatic void.

As Cassidy traversed the mysterious void, Max's voice called out, "Cassidy?" Eleven, realizing she couldn't enter the void, removed her blindfold. The realization struck – Cassidy's flayed condition disrupted the synchronization of abilities. Anyone attempting to use their powers simultaneously with Cassidy would find them ineffective, an unexpected consequence of her unique state in the void.

Cassidy continued to navigate the obscure void, surrounded by an abyss of blackness. Max's frantic voice pierced the void, desperately calling out to Cassidy, who remained unresponsive. Filled with fear, Max turned to Eleven. "El, can we pull the blindfold off? Will it work?" she stammered. "I-I don't know. This has never happened before," Eleven responded, uncertainty lacing her voice as they faced an unprecedented situation in the mysterious confines of the void.

As Cassidy continued her journey through the ethereal void, a growing frustration weighed on her. Seeking solace, she closed her eyes, and in that moment of darkness, Mike's image materialized. "I see him," she finally uttered. The perplexed expressions on Eleven and Max's faces betrayed their confusion, questioning why Cassidy had delayed her response.

Amidst the surreal landscape, Cassidy fixated on Mike and Lucas embroiled in a spirited disagreement. Dismissing their bickering with a subtle eye roll, she proceeded to stride purposefully toward the unfolding drama, determined to intervene or perhaps add her perspective to the unfolding discourse.

With a concerned furrow in her brow, Max asked, "What are they doing?" Worry laced her words.

"Eating," Cassidy replied with a hint of exasperation, "and Mike is knee-deep in a bickering session, utterly confused about what he did." The weight of Cassidy's words hung in the air as Eleven scrutinized her, grappling with the confusion stemming from the events just minutes ago.

Cassidy, torn between emotions, continued to eavesdrop on Lucas and Mike's conversation. The rising tension fueled her desire to interject, to unleash her frustration upon her brother, yet she held back for the moment, caught in the complexity of the unfolding scene.

Lucas, with a misguided stereotype, declared, "Because women act on emotion, not logic. It's a totally different species." Cassidy's eyes widened in disbelief, her frustration building as she mentally prepared to confront him later.

"What the heck," Cassidy exclaimed, her tone a mix of anger and disbelief. Eleven, sensing something amiss, quickly inquired, "What?" Cassidy, still seething, shared the offensive remark, "They said we act on emotion, not logic, and we're a different species."

Max, equally incensed, didn't hold back, adding her disapproval with a sharp curse. The air crackled with tension, the trio grappling with the offensive and stereotypical comment made by Lucas.

Cassidy remained fixated on her brother, and as he lifted his leg, an involuntary sense of repulsion prompted her to mentally take a step back, even though she wasn't physically present. A feeling of foreboding lingered as she braced herself for what was about to unfold.

With a contorted expression, Cassidy prepared for the inevitable. Her brother, oblivious to her virtual presence, unleashed a resonant fart, the sound echoing through the mental space as Cassidy cringed at the absurdity of the moment.

Cassidy's anticipation reached its peak as she pulled off the blindfold, and a delighted smile crossed her face, evolving into an uncontrollable urge to laugh. Max and Eleven, baffled by her reaction, sought an explanation with synchronized inquiries, "What?"

Unable to contain her laughter, Cassidy found herself in the midst of an infectious mirth. Max and Eleven exchanged puzzled glances, trying to make sense of her amusement.

Cassidy, eventually regaining composure, wiped her nose and faced the queries from her friends. "I have no idea what happened," she confessed, leaving Max perplexed as she questioned, "Cass, do you not know what happened?" Cassidy, wearing an expression of confusion, shook her head slowly, adding to the enigma of the moment.

Max detailed the peculiar scene, saying, "You were like asleep or something. Your nose bled, but you just sat there and didn't respond." Eleven added her perspective, noting, "And I couldn't get pulled into the void." Cassidy, grappling with the memories and conflicting information, was caught between the recollection of her clone's words and the confusion introduced by Max's explanation.

Before Cassidy could articulate her thoughts, the distant sound of a car rolling up interrupted their discussion. Eleven sighed, signaling a pause in the conversation, and she nonchalantly returned her attention to the radio, the events of the void momentarily overshadowed by the arrival of an external distraction.

The room filled with the rustling of magazines as the three girls sprawled on the floor, engrossed in their reading. Suddenly, Hopper burst in, slamming the door open and bellowing, "Hey!" The trio exchanged glances before shifting their gaze to Hopper.

"Do you knock, jeez," Max retorted, a hint of annoyance in her tone. Hopper, taken aback, furrowed his brows, attempting to gather himself. "Oh, hey. I'm sorry—I thought-" he began, only to be interrupted by Cassidy.

"Mike isn't here," Cassidy informed him. Hopper, processing the information, responded with a nonchalant, "Okay," as he took a step back, realizing he had barged in at an inconvenient moment.

Eleven hesitated for a moment before bravely asking, "Max and Cassidy wanted a... sleepover. Is that okay?" Hopper, caught off guard, nodded with a slightly shocked look on his face. He couldn't hide a sense of pride that Eleven was spending time with two girls instead of Mike.

"Do your parents know about it?" Hopper inquired cautiously. "Yup," Max and Cassidy responded simultaneously, their synchronized response emphasizing their shared confidence. Hopper, satisfied with their assurance, left the room.

As soon as he exited, a moment of realization hit the trio, and Max, Cassidy, and Eleven burst into laughter, the room echoing with the joy of their shared amusement at the unexpected turn of events.

Max and Cassidy huddled together, creating a board of names for Eleven to spy on. Cassidy, opting to have Eleven take on the espionage role, delegated the task to her. With the board ready, Max carefully laid it onto the bed.

"Holy shit, this is insane. I can't believe we're doing this," Max grinned, a mix of excitement and disbelief on her face. The room buzzed with an unconventional energy as they prepared for the audacious plan they had devised.

"Ready?" Max asked, her gaze shifting between Cassidy and Eleven. The trio shared a moment of anticipation, knowing they were about to embark on an adventure that defied the ordinary.

"Ready," Eleven smiled, and with a flick of her wrist, she spun the bottle. The suspense filled the room as it twirled, finally coming to a stop on Mr. Wheeler. A collective decision made it clear that this choice was a no-go. Eleven spun it once more, and this time, it landed on Billy.

Cassidy's eyes widened as she looked up to see her clone. Her breath quickened, and a nervous gulp escaped. Sensing Cassidy's unease, Max reached out, intertwining her fingers with Cassidy's. "Are you okay, Cass?" Max asked with genuine concern, and Cassidy nodded slowly, finding solace in Max's supportive presence as the unconventional game progressed.

Eleven turned on the radio, tuning it to static, and placed the blindfold around her head. As blood trickled down her nose, Max questioned, "What's he doing?"

"I don't know," Eleven responded slowly, and Cassidy couldn't shake the unease. Deep down, she knew he was doing something for the flayed.

"He's... on the floor," Eleven informed them, and Cassidy's eyes widened. She instinctively squeezed Max's hand, a shared sense of concern intensifying in the room.

Max, attuned to Cassidy's growing worry, gently rubbed her hand, offering a soothing touch. The atmosphere heightened as Eleven let out a sudden scream, tearing off her blindfold. Tears streamed down her face as she locked eyes with Max and Cassidy, who were quick to envelop her in a supportive hug.

In the embrace, the room felt charged with a mix of tension and comfort. The trio shared a poignant moment, connected by a blend of fear, empathy, and the solace found in their mutual support.

⭑⭑⭑

As Eleven recounted the distressing vision of finding Billy on the ground with Heather speaking into his ear on the way to his house, Cassidy was suddenly struck by a vivid vision. In her mind's eye, she witnessed Heather getting flayed, causing her to abruptly stop in her tracks.

Max, attuned to Cassidy's sudden stillness, intervened. She stopped Eleven and turned to Cassidy with concern etched on her face. "Cass, are you okay?" Max repeated the question, echoing the concern from the night before. Cassidy, after a moment of hesitation, responded, "Yeah," her voice carrying a weight of unease that lingered in her expression, leaving a sense of underlying turmoil.

Max, harboring suspicions about Eleven's vision, pressed on toward Billy's house. Upon entering, they found themselves in Billy's room, where Eleven headed into the bathroom.

While exploring the room, Cassidy's attention was drawn to a revealing women's magazine, prompting her to react with a gag. "Ew. Gag me with a spoon," Max remarked, sharing the sentiment. Cassidy, ever playful, responded with a smirk, "I will gag you with a spoon." Max smiled, understanding the playful banter, and playfully hit Cassidy's arm, the tension momentarily lightened by their shared humor amidst the unfolding mystery.

Max pointed at Eleven, recognizing that she likely didn't grasp the implications of the risqué magazine. Cassidy couldn't help but think, *Hopper really needs to give her the talk. She's literally 14.*

"Max? Cassidy?" Eleven's voice echoed from the bathroom. Cassidy and Max walked in, and Eleven pointed at the bathtub. They saw ice bags inside, and Cassidy's throat tightened. "It's just ice. Probably for his muscles or something," Cassidy quickly assured her, not wanting Eleven to suspect anything.

"Exactly. He works out like a maniac," Max chimed in, joining Cassidy in maintaining the innocent façade, trying to divert Eleven's attention from any potential concerns.

Eleven went through the bottom sink and pulled out a red lifeguard fanny pack. Cassidy's eyes widened, thinking, *Really, Billy? Put it there? Dumbass.*

Eleven turned around with a whistle in her hand, and both Cassidy and Max were startled. "Oh my god... did he kill her?" Cassidy stuttered, attempting not to appear as a suspect. Max, agitated, hit her arm. "I swear to god, if he did-" Max stammered.

Cassidy, understanding Max's anxiety, gave her a reassuring hug, silently acknowledging the gravity of the situation unfolding in Billy's bathroom.

"Okay, well, let's just go to Heather's work to make sure she's okay," Cassidy suggested, concern etched on her face. The others nodded in agreement, aligning on the plan. As the sound of rain echoed outside, Max fetched raincoats. Max chose a bright yellow one, Eleven went for a bold red, and Cassidy wore a purple raincoat, unintentionally creating a vibrant trio reminiscent of mustard, ketchup, and jelly. The hues stood out against the gray backdrop of the rainy day as they prepared to venture out.

They walked over to Max's bike outside. "Can't I just rift us there?" Cassidy asked, suggesting a quicker means of transportation. "We don't want to look suspicious," Eleven replied, emphasizing the need for caution.

"I can always rift us a little far from it, and then walk from there with the bike," Cassidy proposed, finding a compromise that would balance speed and discretion. The group deliberated on the plan, weighing the options for the journey ahead.

Max and Eleven shared a contemplative look, and after a resigned sigh, Max gave in to Cassidy's teleportation idea. Cassidy couldn't hide her excitement, eager to utilize her favorite ability once again. As Max and Eleven hopped on the bike, Cassidy touched it and instructed, "Hold on." Grinning, Cassidy formed a fist, and with the manifestation of her flayed powers, a giant rift opened.

With a forceful push, Cassidy propelled them into the rift. The sensation was instantaneous, and in the blink of an eye, they found themselves behind some trees near the pool. The surroundings changed abruptly, leaving them concealed and ready to proceed with their investigation without attracting unnecessary attention.

As the three girls entered the vaneloin, Eleven keenly observed Cassidy's enhanced abilities, detecting a notable increase in strength. Her mind flickered back to past experiences where their abilities had evolved, particularly during their encounter with Kali the previous year. However, Cassidy's powers now seemed to have reached an advanced level that sparked Eleven's curiosity and suspicions.

At the front desk, Eleven and Max engaged in conversation, while Cassidy approached a board adorned with photos. Eleven, sensing a layer of mystery surrounding Cassidy's abilities, turned around to find her absorbed in studying the images. Walking up beside her, Eleven shared the same line of sight, ready to uncover any clues or secrets embedded within the enigmatic photographs that might explain Cassidy's newfound strength.

Eleven recognized the significance of having Heather's photo to facilitate their search. Max joined the conversation, inquiring about their ability to locate her. "Heather," Eleven pointed to the photo, a determined expression on her face. Max, trusting in their collective skills, asked, "Do you think you guys can find her?" In response, both Cassidy and Eleven nodded, displaying their confidence in the task at hand.

With a swift and purposeful movement, Eleven took the photo off the wall. The trio then made their way to the girls' showers room, armed with the image that would serve as a key element in their mission to find and help Heather.

Max took the initiative, turning on all the showers to create a distraction. Meanwhile, Eleven and Cassidy prepared for the next phase of their plan. They exchanged their goggles for blindfolds, securing them in place with duct tape. As Cassidy and Eleven adjusted the blindfolds and placed them on, Cassidy momentarily forgot the peculiar aspect of her powers. When Eleven or Theodore tried to use their abilities at the same time as hers, it caused interference, rendering them ineffective.

With the blindfolds in place, Cassidy attempted to use her powers, but the interference occurred swiftly. She felt herself being pulled into the void, the unexpected consequence of their simultaneous attempts. At the same moment, Eleven, frustrated by the turn of events, yanked off her blindfold, realizing the complications arising from their coordinated efforts to employ their unique abilities.

Blood trickled down Cassidy's nose, and Max, noticing the unsettling sight, voiced her concern. "What's wrong, El? Why aren't you in there with her?" Max asked, her worry evident.

"It's weird... If Cassidy and I try to use our abilities at the same time... It's like it won't work," Eleven explained, unraveling the mystery of their interference issue. A shared look of realization passed between Max and Eleven as they turned their attention to Cassidy, who remained silent.

Meanwhile, in the dark and unsettling void, Cassidy navigated through the surreal space. Memories of the previous incident, when they spied on Mike, played in her mind, intensifying the discomfort. The changes in her abilities due to being flayed added an unpredictable element that Cassidy was starting to dislike.

"Max? El?" Cassidy's voice reverberated into the void, seeking a connection in the disorienting darkness that surrounded her.

A disembodied voice resonated in the void, delivering a chilling statement: "They can't hear you. And you can't hear them." Cassidy turned around to confront her clone, standing in the surreal darkness. Overwhelmed with emotion, Cassidy cried out, "I don't want to be your little pet anymore! Stop doing this."

Her clone, unmoved, responded with a cold admission, "I'm sorry. But that won't work. And right now, you're with the enemy! We're not showing you where Heather is. If you obey, you will die." The threat hung in the air, intensifying the eerie and ominous atmosphere of the void. Cassidy, caught in the middle of conflicting forces, faced a perilous situation with uncertain consequences.

Cassidy felt a lump in her throat as she gulped, submitting reluctantly to her clone's demands. "O-okay. I'm sorry... What do you want me to do?" Her internal conflict was palpable, torn between her own desires and the fear of dire consequences.

"I want you to get out of the void in a few minutes, and say that you tried finding her but were having trouble. Then, have Jane try to find her," her clone instructed. Cassidy, nodding slowly, observed as her clone vanished, leaving her alone with a disconcerting sense of obligation.

Following the given directives, Cassidy continued walking through the void. Each step carried the weight of conflicting loyalties, personal turmoil, and the realization that her actions could shape the outcome of a perilous situation.

Max's anxiety heightened as she observed Cassidy's prolonged silence, a haunting echo of their earlier venture to spy on Mike. Cassidy remained seated, an unsettling stillness in her demeanor. "El... I'm really getting worried!" Max's words stumbled out, the weight of concern evident in her voice. "This is the second time..." Eleven mumbled quietly to herself, acknowledging the unsettling pattern.

Unable to endure the silence any longer, Max, tears streaming down her face, shook Cassidy in a desperate attempt to rouse her from the unsettling trance. "Cass, please, get out of there," Max cried, her distress palpable. "Do something, El. Please!" Panic seized Max as she implored Eleven for assistance.

Eleven, sensing Max's fear, bit her lip, locking eyes with Max to convey a shared concern and a determination to uncover the mystery shrouding Cassidy's silence.

Cassidy found herself suspended in the void, a disorienting realm of nothingness, when Max's urgent voice pierced through the emptiness. "CASS! GET OUT OF THERE, PLEASE!" Max's plea echoed, jolting Cassidy from her surreal surroundings. Though only a minute had passed for her, the intensity of Max's worry was palpable.

As a few more minutes ticked by, Eleven, sharing Max's concern, decided to take decisive action. Uncertain of the potential consequences, Eleven carefully reached for and removed the goggles covering Cassidy's eyes. The moment the goggles came off, Cassidy's eyes snapped open, a sudden awakening evident in her expression. Confusion mixed with awareness as she returned from the enigmatic void that held her, and the connection between her and the real world was reestablished.

Relief flooded Max as she embraced Cassidy, her worry dissipating in the reassurance of her girlfriend's physical presence. "Oh my god, you're okay!" Max cried out, her hug expressing both concern and gratitude.

However, as Max held Cassidy, her joy turned to alarm. Blood trickled from both of Cassidy's nostrils, and a noticeable pallor painted her complexion. "I'm fine..." Cassidy's voice was a soft reassurance, but her physical condition spoke otherwise.

Max, hands now on Cassidy's shoulders, couldn't contain her worry. "Why were you not responding?!" Her question was urgent, reflecting the anxiety that lingered. Cassidy, still recovering, met Max's gaze. "I couldn't hear you guys for some reason... I'm sorry," she explained, the apology tinged with confusion and vulnerability. The unexplained glitch in their connection left a lingering tension, overshadowing the relief of Cassidy's return.

As Eleven's suspicion lingered, Cassidy recounted her experience within the void. "I was walking through the void to try to find Heather, but it wasn't working," Cassidy explained, her words carrying a sense of perplexity. Eleven, absorbing the details, nodded slowly, her mind processing the mysterious nature of the situation.

"You should try. Maybe you'll have better luck," Cassidy suggested, prompting Eleven to take a chance. With a casual shrug, Eleven decided to explore the void herself. The anticipation hung in the air as she donned the goggles, and Cassidy awaited the revelation.

"What do you see?" Cassidy inquired eagerly. Eleven, immersed in the alternate reality, began to share her discovery. "A door," she started, causing a pause that heightened the suspense. "A red door," Eleven corrected herself, hinting at a potentially significant revelation hidden within the depths of the enigmatic void.

Eleven's breathing grew heavy, and with a sudden intensity, she yanked the goggles off and let out a scream. Max and Cassidy exchanged a concerned glance, their worry mirrored in each other's eyes. Cassidy instinctively pulled Eleven into a hug, her concern deepening as she tried to comfort her friend. The shared look between Max and Cassidy spoke volumes about the unsettling nature of what Eleven had witnessed within the void.

⭑⭑⭑

Eleven, driven by the need to find Heather, meticulously described the house. Cassidy, closing her eyes in concentration, absorbed the details. As she envisioned the address and the door, the strain manifested in a trickle of blood down her nose, a testament to the taxing nature of her telepathic abilities.

Opening her eyes, Cassidy took a deep breath, determination etched on her face. In a swift motion, she teleported the trio to their bike, the vehicle they had arrived with. "Hop on. I'm teleporting us there," Cassidy instructed, her urgency palpable. Max and Eleven wasted no time, quickly mounting the bike, ready for the instantaneous journey Cassidy was about to orchestrate. The anticipation and concern hung in the air as Cassidy prepared to teleport them to the unknown destination in search of Heather.

They swiftly mounted the bike, and Cassidy, with a determined touch, initiated her teleportation abilities. A fist clenched, and a massive rift opened before them. Cassidy pushed the bike into the rift, and in an instant, they found themselves outside the house.

"Is this her house?" Cassidy inquired, her gaze fixed on Eleven. The brunette nodded in affirmation. Approaching the door, Cassidy stared at it intently. The door creaked open slowly, and a trickle of blood from Cassidy's nose prompted a quick wipe with her jacket sleeve.

Stepping inside, they found themselves in the dining room. Billy, accompanied by a woman and a man, was present. As the trio entered, Billy's gaze locked onto Cassidy, creating a tense atmosphere in the room. The unspoken tension hung in the air, waiting to unravel the mysteries within the house.

"Max. Cassidy," Billy greeted with an unexpected smile, striding over to them. Max quickly offered an apology, "We didn't mean to barge in. We tried to knock, but... maybe you didn't hear us over the storm," Cassidy chimed in, acknowledging the unintentional intrusion with a touch of unease.

Tom, clearly irritated, directed a question at Billy, "I'm sorry, who is this dripping all over my living room right now?" Billy, apologetic, made introductions, "Janet. Tom. This is my sister, Maxine, and her girlfriend, Cassidy." Tom's surprise was palpable, and he exclaimed, "Oh!" as Billy chuckled in an attempt to diffuse the tension.

"What on earth are you doing here?" Billy asked, his curiosity evident. "We just wanted to make sure everything was okay," Max explained, their concern for Heather evident in their unexpected and somewhat awkward visit. The atmosphere in the room remained charged, awaiting a response and further unraveling of the situation.

"Why wouldn't it be okay?" Billy questioned, his brow furrowed in genuine confusion. Before anyone could respond, Eleven interjected, her urgency apparent, "Where is she?" Billy looked perplexed, replying, "I'm sorry. Where is who?"

Sensing Heather's presence within the house, Cassidy's eyes closed as she silently conveyed a message for Heather to emerge from the kitchen. In that moment, Cassidy felt a trickle of blood down her nose, a physical toll of her telepathic connection. Quick to maintain composure, she discreetly wiped her nose with her jacket sleeve, shielding the subtle aftermath of her psychic communication from the notice of Eleven and Max.

The room hung in suspense, each person awaiting Heather's appearance and an explanation for the unexpected events unfolding in Billy's house. The air was thick with unspoken questions and tension.

Heather emerged from the kitchen, holding a tray of cookies, and immediately began apologizing, "Well, they're a little burnt. I'm sorry." Billy swiftly took charge, introducing Max and Cassidy, "Heather, this is my sister, Maxine, and her girlfriend Cassidy."

As Heather redirected her attention to Cassidy, she remained oblivious to Cassidy's dual role as the reluctant leader of the flayed. "And, I'm sorry. I did not quite catch your name," Billy inquired, turning his attention to Eleven. "El," Eleven responded with a firmness that contrasted the unexpected complexity of the situation.

The room held a charged atmosphere as the characters grappled with the revelation and the unspoken tension, setting the stage for the unfolding dynamics within Billy's house.

"I-I saw..." Eleven started, her gaze intent on Heather. Max swiftly interjected, "We saw your manager. At the pool. He said you guys didn't come in to work today, so we got worried." The urgency in Max's voice underscored the concern shared by both her and Eleven.

"Heather wasn't feeling so hot today, so we thought we'd take the day off to nurse her back to health. But you're feeling just fine right now, aren't you, Heather?" Billy's inquiry was direct, his eyes fixed on Heather, awaiting a response. Heather hummed in agreement, affirming, "I'm feeling so much better." The room held a palpable tension, with unspoken questions lingering and suspicions starting to brew. The dynamics within the group were on the verge of unraveling as the characters navigated the delicate balance between truth and uncertainty.

"Okay... Well, we should get going now," Cassidy quickly interjected, a subtle urgency in her tone. Max nodded in agreement, and they made their way to the door, heading towards the waiting bike. Eleven, ever perceptive, couldn't shake the feeling that something wasn't right with Billy or Heather—especially Cassidy.

As they left the house, the unspoken tension lingered, leaving a trail of uncertainty in the wake of their departure. Eleven's suspicions hinted at a deeper layer of complexity, setting the stage for the next chapter in the unfolding mystery.

⭑⭑⭑

ASH SPEAKS !

This chapter is a lot to take in damnnn. I think Cassidy getting pulled into being flayed more isnt good. But she'll be fine. I'm not letting her die that easy! This book is going for all seasons or just up until Season 5 or 6!