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NIGHTFALL SURROUNDS THE TEENS as Dustin drags them through the forest. Trees keep tricking Brooke into thinking she's seeing shit. Sometimes when she looks too deep into the forest her brain will display the Demogorgon they once saw. The bullshit that started it all.

   "This kid won't slow down," Eddie scoffs. "Welcome to my life," Steve tells him. Dustin stops for a small second, staring down at his compass before setting off again. "Oh my God," Penelope says, throwing her hands up when Dustin leaves them again. "I think we're getting close!" Dustin says, a mere inch away from stepping into Lover's Lake. "Watch your step, big guy," Eddie pulls him back.

   Brooke and Paisley move themselves towards the front. The open lake spreads out in front of them for miles which means the portal is definitely in the lake. "You're kidding me," Brooke sighs. "I thought these woods were familiar," Eddie says. Stella cocks her head back, "Oh, you're familiar with Lover's Lake?" Everyone turns to her, surprised at her jealous tone even though she's said for months that Eddie is just a hookup. "People hook up here too?! Gross," Danny scoffs, shining his light into the dark lake.

    "This is confounding," Dustin says.

   "There's a gate in Lover's Lake?" Max questions. "Whenever the Demogorgon attacked, it always left an opening. Maybe Vecna's the same way," Nancy suggests. "Only one way to find out," Steve says.

   Paisley stares into the darkness of the lake, "Alright, but, we have no boat or anything to get in the water." Eddie sucks on his teeth loudly and spins on his heel to face Paisley, "We do, Slora. We do have a boat."

   "Where?" Paisley raises her eyebrow. "How do you think I got here?" Eddie carefully walks along the shore, the group following him until their lights land on a boat covered in a tarp. It doesn't look very big and Brooke doubts it'll fit everyone which means they'll have to split up. Which she really doesn't like because it means more than likely she'll be split from the kids and her brother.

   Steve and Eddie shimmy the boat down the shore, harshly placing it in the area they were just in. The boys place themselves in the boat first. "I'll go first," Robin says, ignoring Steve's helping hand and using the boys' heads as leverage. "That works too," Steve comments. Paisley steps up next and before either boy can even put their hand out, Robin puts hers. Steve hides the teasing smirk on his face when Paisley takes Robin's hand with a soft thank you.

   Next is Nancy who is helped by Eddie and then Penelope who only takes Nancy's hand, swatting Steve's away. Brooke and Stella stand on shore now, knowing there's only room for one more of them. The two girls glance at each other a few times awkwardly. Stella sighs, "Brooke, you go. I'm just gonna—weigh it down."

   Brooke frowns, "Don't say that. Seriously. But, I will go and I'll keep an eye on Eddie. I promise." Brooke is scared her promise will become empty and she'll feel mass amounts of guilt for not protecting someone she and Stella both care about once again. Stella smiles for a second, "Yeah, I trust you." The words mean more than Stella will ever know. Brooke smiles back and takes Steve's hand, making sure she's very careful as she sits down.

    Eddie frowns at Stella's comment, not knowing how to approach it in front of everyone. He sighs, something telling him to get out and at least give her something. This is all new to Eddie—being smitten with someone. "Stel," He shouts, using a name he's never used before on her. He moves through the group, standing at the tip of the boat with a smile. Stella knits her eyebrows, walking up to him, "Eddie?"

   Once she's in his reach, Eddie realizes how many eyes are on them. Steve and Brooke continuously share looks, telepathically saying what the fuck.

  Eddie plants a big smooch on Stella's nose, the dramatic kiss noise and everything. Stunned, Stella doesn't move, even when he pulls back and sits back down. Steve pokes her knee, "Stella—"

   "Hm? Yes. Sorry," Stella panics, backing up.

   The kids, mostly Dustin and Danny, stand at the shore with annoyed looks. "What the hell? We're not going?" Danny shouts. "It's better this way, okay? You guys stay here with Max. Keep an eye out for trouble," Nancy says. "You keep an eye out!" Dustin retorts. The teens all glare at Dustin but he just shrugs his shoulders in response. "It's my goddamn theory!" Dustin shouts.

   "You heard Nance," Robin says. "Who put her in charge?" Dustin asks. "We did. Stay on land, assholes," Paisley tells them. Nancy steps slightly forward, putting her hand out for the compass. Dustin begrudgingly hands it to her. "Hey," Steve tosses Dustin his bag rather harshly and then starts the engine, pushing the small boat into the water.

   "This is bullshit!" Danny shouts. "Shut up!" Brooke shouts back at her brother, "Love you!" She adds. Steve laughs, looking at the kids and Stella, "Sorry," He sarcastically whispers. Eddie and Robin begin using the paddles, moving them further into the darkness of the lake. "Bedtime at nine, kiddos! Stella, no curfew for you!" Robin shouts with a giggle, "Miss you already!"

  "Robin, sit down," Penelope pulls on the end of Robin's top shirt. "Yeah, please don't tip us, Robbi," Paisley gives her a soft smile as she sits down again.

  Stella and the kids watch their friends get smaller and smaller. "I trust you with our lives," Lucas says to Stella. She glances at him, blinking and then looking back at the older teens that are practically gone by now, "Oh God."

   THE DIM LIGHT OF the flashlights are only doing so much when they're surrounded by nothing but absolute darkness. "This place is much nicer in the daytime," Brooke says. "Yeah, because I'm sure the mass amounts of bacteria in still water is nicer," Penelope comments. Brooke deadpans at her, "You amaze me sometimes." Penelope rolls her eyes but smiles even though she knows Brooke is being sarcastic.

   "Woah, woah. Slow down!" Nancy says, grabbing the paddle in Eddie's hand. Robin and Eddie stop their movement as all attention is now on the compass in Nancy's hand. "The little arrow is losing it!" Paisley says.

    Static comes in on the walkie, "Guys, what's going on?" Dustin asks. "Uh, Dustin,  your compass has gone from wonky to wonky with a capital AHH!" Robin responds. "Okay, well, the gate has to be below us then," Brooke comments, slightly leaning over the boat to look into the water. She presses her lips together when she realizes how dumb she is for even bothering to look.

   "Steve, what are you doing?" Nancy asks but the concern in her voice makes Brooke divert her attention to her boyfriend. She widens her eyes at the sight of Steve beginning to take his shoes and socks off. "Someone has to go down there and check this thing out. Unless any of you can top being Hawkins High swim team co-captain and a certified lifeguard for three years now—it's gotta be me. No complaints," Steve says.

   Anxiety rises within Brooke. There's no way she's letting him go down there alone. "Hm, I have a complaint," Brooke says, pointing her finger to the sky. Steve sighs, "Of course you do."

  "The fuck does—whatever—I don't want you going down there by yourself," Brooke says. "I'm not complaining. I don't wanna go down there," Eddie says, looking down into the lake. "No one asked you to, Munson," Brooke slightly snaps at him. Eddie throws his hands up in defense, kind of used to Martel attitude—it's very genetic.

   The boat rocks as Steve stands at the end, stripping himself of his yellow sweater. Brooke's eyes go even wider, her heart speeding up with a mix of anxiety and somehow lust. Paisley immediately looks at Brooke for her reaction and hides her laugh with air in her cheeks. "Oh, for God's sake. He's shirtless," Penelope scoffs.

   Letting fear subside for a moment, Brooke takes in the art that is Steve Harrington. The birthmarks and moles that dot his body, the toned torso. Many times the couple found themselves in this very lake intertwined as the sun hit them, just enjoying each other's presence. Even though they're on a death mission right now, Brooke's eyes can't leave Steve's figure.

   Noticing this, Robin lightly kicks Brooke to try and bring her back down to Earth but not without a teasing smile when Martel turns to glare at Buckley.

   At the shore, Lucas has the binoculars on Steve, "Ugh, when did Steve get so hairy?"

   "Right?" Dustin says, "I keep telling him he needs to tame that jungle but he says Brooke likes it."

   "Dustin!" Danny shouts in disgust. Both Stella and Danny's faces are turned in disgust. "Let me see," Max says, grabbing the binoculars from Lucas. They all share a glance when all she does is stare at a shirtless Steve.

   Once the chaos from Steve's action calms down, Eddie hands him the flashlight in a bag to protect it from the water. "You're not coming, Brooke," Steve says, preparing himself to plummet into the cold water. A scowl forms on her face, "Fuck you!" Steve tilts his head in only slight surprise, "Not here—at least not now," He retorts, a big smirk on his face. "Stop. Stop it!" Paisley says, genuinely desperate for her friends to stop the flirting.

   Brooke crosses her arms, "I can swim."

   "Didn't say you couldn't," Steve takes some deep breaths as he stares down the water. Brooke stands up and stubbornly begins to take off her shoes but Steve grabs her forearm to stop her. "Unhand me," Brooke tries to joke as if to sway Steve. He doesn't though and the two make eye contact, Steve pleading for her to listen and Brooke glaring into him. "Please," Steve softly says but her glare doesn't waver.

  Brooke feared she'd soften if she ever committed to someone. Maybe she has—she can't really tell. With Casey it was different, everything was different with him.

   But, she's overprotective, that'll never change. She had to grow up being overprotective over those she cares about because they weren't being protected by the people who were supposed to. Brooke angrily stares at Steve's hand still around her forearm.

  Loyal, almost to a fault. The anxiety courses through her like lava. She left Steve alone last year and him, Paisley and Robin almost died—everytime she's slightly let her guard down it's gone to shit.

   "As much as I love the show, can we get a move on?" Penelope presses her lips together, sarcastically smiling at the couple. Steve rolls his eyes, letting go of Brooke and throwing his sweater right into Penelope's face. He nods at the group and dives before Brooke can argue anymore. The boat rocks and then rocks even more when Brooke leans over the boat, "Son of a bitch!" She curses. Again, she starts to take her shoes off, cursing to herself about her boyfriend and his superhero complex.

   "Brooke—" Nancy starts but Brooke just mumbles to herself louder, "Brooke!" Nancy grabs Brooke, forcing her back into her seat. "Steve will be fine," Nancy reassures her. Brooke wants to believe her, she wants nothing more than to fully believe that her boyfriend and friends will be okay but the rotting feeling within her says otherwise. Settling down in her seat with a huff, Brooke runs her hands through her hair, "He always follows after me."

   "Steve's a dingus but he seems pretty good in this realm. He'll be okay," Paisley smiles. Robin's eyebrow perks up, smiling at Paisley's use of her commonly used insult. Eddie throws her a thumbs up and tries to light a cigarette but Robin knocks it out of his hand. "Gross," She says. Eddie just stares at her in shock, not even trying to light another one.

   Nancy takes a deep breath, "We're coming up on a minute."

   "Oh—okay," Robin anxiously says.

   The kids and Stella have been watching the whole time, waiting for Steve to emerge or for Brooke to jump off and cause more chaos.

   "He's not dead, right?" Danny whispers to Max and Lucas. The redhead looks at him, "How am I supposed to know?" Danny deadpans at her and just looks away and back at the boat of people. Stella catches a reflection of light on the water and then multiple sources of light, "What the hell?" She whispers. Suddenly, the sounds of radio chatter and yelling aren't that far from them.

   "Shit! Get down!" Lucas tells them, shoving them all down.

    Brooke's anxious rocking of her leg shakes the boat as the seconds go by very slowly. They all sit silently in agony until the loud splash of Steve makes them gasp and scream. "I found it!" Steve says, swimming towards the boat. "You found it?!" Nancy repeats the statement. Brooke smiles ear to ear, immediately putting her hand out for Steve to grab. "I found it," Steve says, grabbing onto Brooke's hand, subconsciously rubbing the back of her hand with his thumb.

   "Tell Dustin!" Paisley says to Robin. "Right," Robin grabs the walkie, "Dustin, you are a goddamn Einstein. Steve found the gate—" Robin is randomly cut off, not being able to get through to Dustin. Brooke snaps her head, realizing that means they can't talk to Danny as well, "What the hell happened?"

  "Are we too far out?" Penelope asks. "It worked earlier," Eddie says.

   The group on land curses as the police get closer to them but more concerningly, closer to Eddie. Stella glances at the water where he is, "They can't find Eddie," She whispers. Max sighs, "Just—follow me. Hey, officers!" Everyone shushes her, panicking at her yelling but she continues.

   "I found the killer! This way!" Max shouts.

   "Oh my God, Maxine!" Danny whispers through gritted teeth. Stella has no choice but to shove them the way Max runs as police try to locate them.

   Steve is still in the water as he explains that the gate he found is much smaller than the Mama Gate. "....But....it's pretty damn big," He says, still trying to catch his breath.

   He isn't able to say anything else before he's abruptly dragged into the water. The speed nearly pulls Brooke in before Nancy pulls her back. Everyone panics, looking over the boat for any sign of Steve. Every possibility runs through Brooke's head.

  Vecna somehow got him. Demogorgons now swim. A shark resides in Lover's Lake. Everything.

  But as quick as the thoughts come, Steve is back at the boat, wondering to himself what the hell just happened. They all silently catch their breaths, thinking the worst is over. Then, Steve is tugged down again, his hand reaching up for anyone to grab but the thing pulling him is too quick. They all scream his name. The air leaves Brooke's lungs as tears immediately stream down her face.

   Get your shit together, Brooke says to herself.

   No way is she letting Vecna take anyone else from her. Brooke stands up, wiping her tears. "Brooke?!" Paisley yells when she notices Brooke standing at the edge of the boat. Brooke doesn't even look back at Paisley as she holds her breath and dives into the lake. Now the teens are screaming Brooke's name, crying as they panic.

   "Jesus!" Eddie yells, his voice cracking.

   Brooke blindly swims through the water, hoping swimming directly down from the boat will lead her to Steve. As she swims further and further down, she starts to realize she definitely doesn't have the air capacity of Steve.

   Despite the burning in her lungs, the distant light of red begins to show. The oxygen in her lungs running out, Brooke vigorously swims towards the red light. Once she's close enough, she knows her assumptions were right. A gate sits below her. A medium, red gate that Brooke barely takes a second to comprehend before going through.

   Air floods her lungs but it's ripped out of her again when her back hits the ground harshly. Gasping for air and coughing, Brooke forces herself to her feet.

   "Holy shit," Brooke whispers. Miles and miles of dark vines surround her. The sky above her is cloudy and every so often red lightning strikes in the distance.

    Scary, unknown noises of what she can only assume is the monsters of the Upside Down get louder and louder. "Steve?!" Brooke shouts. No response, but she doesn't know if she really expected one. The creatures shriek, almost bat-like.

   A scream rips through the Upside Down and Brooke hates how familiar Steve's scream is to her. She begins to run but pain rattles her body. Only now does Brooke notice the large cut along her arm. Blood seeps through her top and the pain now reaches her back. Steve's screams become more distant and that scares Brooke more than anything, more than the blood she can now feel clinging to her skin.

  She's never felt so scared. Brooke has heard from Will what happens in the Upside Down.

   A scream echoes but Brooke cannot determine what direction it could be coming from. Trying to stabilize herself, Brooke claws at the skin around her neck. "Steve!" She tries again, a desperate attempt.

   Another scream erupts but it's much closer and high pitched. Brooke gasps as she watches Nancy hit the ground. "Nance? Jesus Christ!" Brooke runs over to help her up. Nancy swallows the pain, taking in the place that ruined her life and a lot of other lives. "You're bleeding," Nancy says, regretting it when she remembers Brooke's fear. Brooke winces when Nancy applies pressure to the wound, "I heard—I heard Steve screaming but now I can't and—Nancy, I'm scared," Brooke admits to her childhood best friend.

   Nancy nods, scared herself and not fully knowing how to respond.

   Almost all at the same time, the others fall through the gate with a collective scream. Paisley is first to her feet with a groan, "We're here!"

   Steve's scream is heard again and Brooke runs in the direction she hopes it came from, ignoring her friend's pleas for her to slow down.

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can u tell i'm trying to drag out the end of this book/act 4? i'm not ready to let any of them go </3