↣ 𝘉𝘶𝘳𝘯 𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘋𝘦𝘮𝘰𝘯

The heat was intensified by the sun's relentless rays. The stewards observed as individuals relished their time at the pool. However, the particular lifeguard who was seated there was an anomaly. Billy Hargrove, who was wearing a black t-shirt, was seated there and appeared to be in a state of great distress.

"I don't know....He looks pretty normal to me."Max remarked while gazing through the binoculars.

"Normal? How many times have you seen him with a shirt on?" Lucas pointed out.  Billy rarely wore a shirt, and when he did, it was often unbuttoned, exposing his chest.

"I mean, it's a little weird." Max responded.

"More than a little." Mike remarked while glancing at the older boy. "He was in a tub with ice. The Mind Flayer likes it cold...Plus everything else..."

"But he's lounging at the pool, which is, like,
the least Mind Flayer thing ever."

"Not necessarily." Will said while everyone gazed at him. "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, you're activated."

"Okay, so we just...wait until he gets activated." Max shrugs.

"No. What if he hurts someone? Or kills someone."

"We need to find out if he's the host." Mike said.

"then let's create a plan and fast before things get more weird around here." Bailey remarks as he examined the kids.

𐬽𐬼𐬽

Billy stopped what he was doing when a noise reverberated. He looked about but saw nothing; he wanted to go back to what he was doing but something in his head ticked as he needed to know what was happening.

"Pool is closed!" Billy cried out, but there was total quiet until another noise emerged. He dropped the object in his palm and started to walk; the sound of laughter filled his head like that of a young child. Still here after hours was a young child.

Billy approached the door; it was locked, leaving him with no exit from the room. He turned around as his rage intensified. "Billy!" A voice reacted in a melodic manner. It reverberated throughout.

"You think this is funny, huh?" Billy remarked while traversing the locker room. The voice responded with a mocking laugh.

"I find you, it is your funeral."

Bailey lurked in the shadows, observing him as he approached the suna, his gait suggesting he was anticipating his prey's arrival. He anticipated that Billy would fall for the mannequin. "Got you." Billy snarled while clutching the mannequin. They began to emerge from their concealment as Mike clutched the walkie-talkie.

"Hi." El said and, with a flick of her palm, propelled Billy against the tiled wall. The door shut forcefully. Will, Luca, and Mike approached the door and secured it with a chain to prevent Billy from escaping.

Billy rushed to the door, pounding on it as though it were on the verge of yielding at any moment. He gazed through the glass window, his eyes widening to their fullest extent. He fixated his gaze upon his sister. "Max."

"Do it." Will immediately rushed over and set the temperature to its maximum level. Bailey observed Billy as his expression fluctuated through many emotions.

"Max! Let me out of here!" Billy shouted while he struck the door. Bailey wished to prevent the glass from shattering and to ensure that Billy did not harm the children. " You kids...You think this is funny? You kids think this is some kind of sick prank, huh?"

Billy collapsed onto the chairs, emitting a cry of exasperation as the temperature in the room increased. Bailey sensed the impending heat, which rendered him exceedingly uncomfortable and somewhat nauseated.

Suddenly, there was weeping; Bailey redirected his focus to the door. Billy was the one crying. "It's not my fault, Max. I promise you, it's not my fault." Billy wept, and Max advanced; her brother's cries evoked an emotional response as she progressed. Bailey instinctively advanced to ensure her safety.

"What's not your fault, Billy?" Max questioned.

"I've done things, Max. Really...bad things."Billy wiped his eyes; he appeared fatigued and was trembling. The heat intensified, and Bailey felt increasingly unwell. "I didn't mean to...He made me do it."

"Who made you do it?"

"It's not my fault, okay? Max, please, believe me, Max, it's not my fault." Billy begged.

"Billy, it's gonna be okay." Max said, watching him as he begged. She felt the need to reach for him. We want to help you. You just have to talk to us, okay? You have to talk to us."

"Max, get away from the door." Mike whispered, Bailey heard him instantly and grabbed onto her arm.

"What?"

"Get away from the door!"Bailey restrained her while Billy shattered the glass windows, resulting in widespread fragmentation. He held a tile in his hand and was attempting to grasp something.

"Let me out, you bitch! Let me out!" Billy yelled out, he beat against the door with his fist. "I'll fucking gut you!"

A stream of blue struck Billy directly on the forehead, propelling him onto his back. The lights started to flicker, and the electrical system groaned like a dissonant orchestra. The group contracted and gathered, preparing themselves. A refined manoeuvre, honed over years of intimidation.

Billy forcefully propelled himself against the door, causing the chains to groan, while Bailey pivoted, extending his arms to shield the children, adopting a defensive stance. Billy prepared for another attempt. The chasm between the door and the frame expanded as the chains commenced to deteriorate; the pipe to which they were secured deformed during the fourth impact.

A final roar ensued, and with the sixth strike, the pipe ruptured. Steam erupted into the room, propelling Billy across the floor with the force of his own velocity. The children shouted as they observed Billy tumble and rise to his feet.

Eleven yelled behind him, and then a weight from his right was hurled at Billy, causing them to collide with the brick wall on the left. The loudness was immense. The wall fractured in two location. With a crunch and a scream from Billy, the weights forcefully collided with the wall, compressing his neck. His naked feet, marred by unsightly veins, strained for stability.

Billy seized her neck and abruptly lifted her. Onlookers gaped in astonishment, while Bailey felt paralysed, unsure of how to react or what to articulate. He could only remain there and observe.

"Go to hell, you piece of shit!" Mike shouted as he attempted to strike Billy with the metal stick. Billy seized it and released eleven as she exclaimed audibly. Bailey promptly inquired about her well-being, but the children were scattered everywhere.

El immediately ascended, extending her arms and using all her strength, despite Billy's resistance. They all observed in terror as the two fought with all their strength. El shrieked as she propelled Billy into the wall. All the lights continued to flicker, but the heat diminished, as did El.

Bailey immediately knelt as Mike held El, who wept from fatigue. The children round them as Billy disappears into the night. " everything is okay, you're all okay." He murmured to them while they all attempted to regain their breath.

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𝗔𝘂𝘁𝗵𝗼𝗿'𝘀 𝗡𝗼𝘁𝗲𝘀

- Another chapter another day. Anyone else watch this episode and kinda feel ill or overwhelmed after it because I definitely did.

To all the people that have supported me closely
Tags: @norasnetflix @wrensofvizla @KleeAlise11 @kiesluverr