☾ ⋆*･ﾟ:⋆*･ﾟ

°•. ┊ Daylight┊.•°
✧ ˚ ━ i understand, act three

CHAPTER EIGHT — the nina project

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I wake up to Nancy shaking my shoulders. She reveals that what Max and I saw last night could've been Vecna's mind and that what it looked like was the Creel House. Great. Creepy wizard in a creepy, homicide house. After yesterday, I slept like a rock. My body and my mind were absolutely exhausted. We pack up and go on a field trip to the old, run down building. "Yeah, that's not creepy." Steve mumbles, as we stand at the edge of the property, before walking up to the door. I wonder how many laws I've broken since moving here. It's gotta be over a dozen, at least. "What exactly are we supposed to be looking for in this shithole?" He and Nancy are removing the nails that are keeping the plank of wood secured to the door. Nance says that they're not sure, but that this place is somehow significant to Vecna. "Because Max saw it in Vecna's red soup mind world?" Now, why we think a massive group of teens going through so much trouble to break into a murder house is going to go unnoticed, I have no clue. I mean, there's nine of us. It was different when it was Steve, the Party, and I. Or the Scoops Troop. But this just doesn't seem smart.

"Basically" Nance responds looking at him.

"Maybe it holds a clue to where Vecna is." Dustin offers. "Why he's back. Why he killed the Creels. And how to stop him before he comes back for Max."

"We don't think he's in here, do we?" Lucas asks.

"Guess we'll find out." Max shrugs. Nancy and Steve pull out the last nails and let the wood drop to the porch. Loudly.

"It's locked." A brilliant revelation from Steve Harrington. "Should I knock, see if anybody's home?" Robin tells him she found a key and throws a brick through the stained glass window. Well, that's one way of doing it. Harrington reaches his hand through the hole and unlocks the door from the inside, before opening it. We all enter, somewhat cautiously. I pull out the flashlight from the side pocket of my bag and turn it on, looking around the foyer. Lucas attempts to turn on a lamp, but this place has been abandoned for years, so it didn't work. As everyone else turns on their lights, Steve is very lost. "Where'd everyone get those?"

"Do you need to be told everything? You're not a child." Dustin remarks, causing a laugh to escape my lips. Steve glares at me, before sending a sarcastic 'thank you' to the Henderson boy. The younger teen hands his older counterpart his backpack. "Back pocket." All of us take a look around the first floor, not straying too far from one another.

"Hey, guys?" Max calls out to us and we all approach her. "You all see that, right?" We're now staring at an old grandfather clock. Nancy asks her if this is what was in her vision. My sister nods her head in response. I saw it too. Last night in that weird dream dimension.

"I mean, it's... just a clock. Right?" Robin questions, rhetorically. The blonde walks over to the machine and wipes the dust from the glass. "Like a normal old clock."

"Why is this wizard obsessed with clocks? Maybe he's, like, a clockmaker or something?" Steve suggests. Oh my god. Did he lose brain cells? He's never been one for common sense, but still. Clockmaker? Really?

"I think you cracked the case, Steve." Dustin mocks, shaking his head. This time I'm not the one who laughs, Griffin is. Nancy thinks that the answers are in this house and orders us to split up into teams of two. Then she does the math and realizes there has to be a team of three. Nance teams with Robin, leaving Lila to team with Griffin. The pair disappear, before I can join them. Assholes. Obviously, Lucas is with Max, which leaves me, once again, with Han and Chewy. Awesome. I stare at the two, before starting up the stairs, Steve close behind. "Was that a sigh?" Steve denies the accusation, even though he definitely did. "Why'd you sigh?"

"I didn't sigh. Just come on, dude." Steve huffs. I shake my head at the argument. I know that I've said this multiple times now, but seriously. An old married couple. Dustin argues that he heard Steve's ever so obvious sigh. "We're just always partners, okay?"

"You have a problem with that?"

"It'd just be nice to, I don't know, mix it up a bit." Harrington states, the three of us continuing up to the second floor.

"I'm boring you? Is that it?"

"No, the opposite-"

"Why don't you both just shut the hell up." I snap at the pair. "I'm always stuck with the two of you, so it's safe to say that I'm the real loser here. If anyone has the right to sigh, it's me." After my spiel, that's exactly what I do; sigh. As we travel between different, yet all very weird, rooms, Steve asks Dustin what we're supposed to be looking for in terms of clues. That's the last I hear, as I drift away from the boys, heading into a completely different area, inspecting a painting on one of the walls. As I stare at it, there's flashes of the red dimension in Max's mind. I shut my eyes, taking a deep breath, trying to calm down a bit, before opening them. I'm no longer inside the Creel house. I'm in the woods, the particles of the Upside Down surrounding me. It's quiet. Too quiet. I start running forward, hoping to either wake up or to figure out why I'm here. As far as I know, I'm not cursed. Not yet anyways. So, why the hell am I here? "Hello? Steve! Steve, where are you? Dustin! Anybody!" My voice echoes through the trees around me. I'm clearly no longer in control of my mind. I reach what looks like a frozen Lovers Lake and see a figure in the middle of it. They're fighting these creatures with wings and they are losing. I make my way towards them and recognize the person. Steve. I start running faster than I've ever run in my life and yet, I'm getting nowhere. "Steve. Steve!" He doesn't seem to hear me. I finally seem to be making progress and I'm approaching him. One of the creatures has him by the throat. I focus on my hand, trying to start a fire, only to barely create a spark. What the hell is happening to me? The creatures, seemingly bats, start taking chunks out of Steve's torso, while he's being choked to death. I try my powers, failing yet again. I go over to the bat that has him in a headlock and start stomping on it, until it quits moving. I shoo the bats from his torso. They did a lot of damage. I drop beside him and place my hands on his wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. But I can't find the source. The sound of Gen's cries sound through my ears, as I'm reminded of her death. I was powerless then and I'm powerless now. "Steve. Steve, come on. Look at me. We're gonna get out of here. You're going to be fine."

"Sammy, you did this." He breathes. "You killed Gen. You're the one who brought Sarah and Matt here. You're to blame for his death. You're the reason for Billy's death. You're the reason Max will die. You're the reason all of us will die. You ruin everything."

"No." Sobs escape my lips. "Please, I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen. I tried. I really tried."

"You failed." His voice fades and his body goes limp in my arms. I stare at his lifeless body and break. He's right. I failed. That's all I ever do. I release a scream, as the tears stream down my face.

"You should've left it alone, Sam." The voice from last night pulls me from my sobs. My head lifts and my eyes travel, until I locate him. Son of a bitch. I rise to my feet and wipe the blood on my jeans. "Now, they will pay for your mistake."

"Wake up. Wake up. Wake up. Wake up!" I yell at myself. Knowing that the only way I'm getting out of here, is if he wants me to. I shut my eyes, once more. If the only thing that can help is my favorite song, then I've got to try it. I start humming 'Head Over Heels' by Tears for Fears.

"That's not going to work."

No One's Point of View

Dustin enters the room, finding Sam staring at a painting. "You know, I doubt some old painting is going to help us learn about Vecna." He says, approaching the redhead. He was expecting some witty remark or at least for her to tell him to shut up, but she says nothing. "Sammy?" The Henderson boy shines his light at the girl's face, finding her eyes white and her body motionless. "Shit. Sam! Sam! Hello? Not you too. Sam! Steve! Robin! Nancy!" The three teens hear the boys cry for help and immediately check every room, until they find him. "I just found her like this." Dustin uses her shoulders to spin the Mayfield girl around, facing her three friends. Nancy immediately runs out of the room and calls out for the rest of their group. Asking Max what cassettes she has in her bag and if Sam's favorite song is among them.

"Shit." Robin breathes. "Steve, what's her favorite song?" The Harrington boy doesn't respond, he's too shellshocked to react. Fear coursing through his veins. First Max and now Sam? The teen can't handle much more. "Steve! What is her favorite song?" Robin's finally got his attention and he answers her without missing a beat.

"Head Over Heels by Tears for Fears!" The boy nearly shouts, as if the yelling will make anyone react quicker. Robin orders him to go tell Nance and he runs, doing just that. "Come on, Max."

"I'm trying! I'm trying!" The young girl yells in response. Everyone's especially terrified after what almost happened yesterday. And with Sam's description of what she watched happen to Fred, there's almost a universal pit in each of their stomachs. Finally, Max locates the tape. Sam gave it to her for Christmas last year and she's carried it with her, listening to it at least once a day ever since. See, when it comes to Sam and music, if she recommends a specific song, there's a reason. Sam gave that tape to Max because it was the song playing in her car after Billy's funeral. The pair drove home together and it was the first time since he died that they laughed and bonded with one another. It took Max a while before she realized that was the reason behind the gift. The young redhead tosses the cassette to Lila, who throws it to Steve. The boy runs back to Sam and pulls her Walkman from her bag. Robin puts her headphones on, while Steve swaps the tapes and presses play. What they didn't know is that the tape in her Walkman, was the same damn song.

Sam's Point of View

As I continue humming, I start backing away from the creature. He's right. This isn't working. I stop my singing, only for the actual song to start playing. I turn my head, finding the smoke clear around the image of me and my friends. Thank god. I rush towards it, only for bats to get in my way and vines to entrap my ankles. I focus on the music, struggling against the vines. Memories play in my mind of the people that I love.

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"Huh. I can't tell if that's a compliment or not..." I think to myself. "Anyways, I'm more of the geeky, loner type. I get weird and awkward in social situations and prefer book characters to most people."

"Well, you are now officially not a loner. You are my new best friend." Delilah declares proudly.

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Now, Max and I have seen this movie a hundred times, it's one of our favorites, and seeing as we are the only ones in the theater; we do an entire production, dancing and singing along. It's really nice to see her smile again. A genuine smile. We exit the screening room laughing our asses off and quoting one of the best scenes. "Janet?"

"Dramatic gasp. Brad!" Max mocks.

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"I'll stay up here in case he tries to escape." I turn to the boy and make a chicken noise. He flips me off, while Steve and Lila laugh.

"If you're scared, Henderson, just say so." I tease. He shrugs me off and I take Delilah's flashlight, walking down into the cellar.

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"You're just full of little surprises, aren't you Firefly?" Steve whispers, dangerously close to my ear.

"You don't know the half of it, Stevie." I respond.

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"I'm El." She introduces. I take her hand, shaking it.

"I'm Samira. You can call me Sam or Sammy. Whatever you prefer." I say.

"Sammy." The young girl decides, giving me a smile which I return.

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And with that he hung up. Just like that. His words replaying over and over in my head. He loves me? We haven't said those words to each other yet. I didn't expect him to say it first, let alone over the phone.

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"Ahoy, ladies!" He nearly shouts, causing me to jump a bit. "Didn't see you there. Would you guys like to set sail on this ocean of flavor with me? I'll be your captain...And I'm totally going home single." Delilah, Robin and I are losing it.

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"Hey, Dustin. Welcome back. How was camp?" I move around the booth, sliding in beside my boyfriend.

"Awesome. I got a girlfriend." He says proudly. "She's smart and super hot."

"Wow. Who knew science camp was the place to find your soulmate?" I ask rhetorically, looking towards Steve. "The only question I have is, exactly how hot are we talking?"

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"I'm glad you guys are okay." Lucas says.

"Me too, kid." I smile. "Now, how gross was this monster? I mean, the Demo-Dogs were gnarly, but I can't imagine what a huge thing made from melted people looks like." As the pair start explaining in vivid detail everything about the Mind Flayer, Gen and I listen intently.

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"Well, that's on brand." She shakes her head. "Look, Sam, I know that you know I had a crush on Tammy Thompson and that I prefer girls to guys."

"Oh!" I nearly shout, finally picking up on what she was referring to. "Yeah, I mean, he slipped up only because I did. I had my suspicions, but it's not my place to really say anything about it. Why? Did I say something to make you feel like it bothered me? Cause if I did, I'm so sorry. I truly couldn't care less who you're into, Robin. As long as you're happy that's all that matters. You're still Robin, no matter who you decide to date. And we all love Robin."

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I rise to my feet and stand before him, placing my right hand in the air. "I, Samira Mayfield, solemnly swear that you, Edward Munson, will be touring this summer with your band and tormenting Dustin and Mike as your roadies. And that I will be traveling across Europe, bringing stories and momentos back with me. By summer's end, we shall remember this as a small setback. Do you accept the challenge?"

"I accept." Eddie stands, and we join hands, shaking them firmly. "God, you're a nerd. And that's saying something, coming from me."

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"I love you, mom."

"I love you too, kid." She pulls me into a hug and I inhale deeply, soaking in the moment; unsure of how many we have left.

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The vine releases my legs and I continue forward, dodging the bats as I go. "I'll see you soon, Sam." And with that I wake up, gasping for air. I throw myself into Steve's arms, burying my face in his neck. He's alive. He's fine.

"What the hell was that?"

"I don't- I don't know." I breathe.

"Thank god for Tears for Fears. I officially love those guys. They saved you. You're gonna be okay." He runs his hands through my hair. Pressing his lips to my head.

"The song didn't save me, Steve." I pull away, looking him in the eyes. "You did. You saved me." Moments pass and Lucas' voice sounds, asking what's going on. "Everything's fine! Let's keep looking!" I answer him and Robin places a hand on my shoulder, before exiting the room. I remove myself from Steve's arms and go to check out another room. That is not something I ever want to experience again. I can't go through that again. And watching him die, it felt so real. He can't die. I won't be able to deal with that. I don't find anything in the home study, so I leave and close the door behind me. Steve runs out of a room a few paces away from me and he's freaking out about something. "What? What's wrong?"

"There was a spider. It's a black widow." He explains, spinning around like a maniac. "Don't go in there."

"Oh, oh." I notice a massive spider web in his hair. "Wait, just...wait. Stop moving. Stop. I just...I got it. I got it." I start pulling it from his head and he thanks me.

"If there's a spider, you're never gonna find it till it lays eggs and the babies spill out." Robin comments, passing us in the hall. A smile makes its way onto my face.

"What's wrong with you?" Steve scolds the girl. "Robin, seriously. She's got problems."

"Tell me about it." I respond.

"You know, maybe after we find Vecna, kill him, save the world and stuff, maybe we can all go out." Steve suggests. "You know? Me, you, Robin, Nancy, Griffin, Lila, the whole gang."

"Okay. All better." I inform him, removing the last piece of web from his hair.

"Great. Thanks." He turns to face me and we remain quiet, just gazing at one another. "Can I, uh, can I be honest with you? I'm always the babysitter, but I don't do enough. I feel like I'm letting everyone down." He huffs. "I nearly let Max down yesterday and I let you down and-"

"Steve." I breathe. "You haven't let me down."

"Really? Because it feels like I have. I left you, when you needed me most. I just walked away."

"Harrington, I pushed you away."

"Yeah, but I shouldn't have let you. I should've fought harder. Showed you that I wasn't going anywhere." He pauses. "That I'm not going anywhere."

"Steve, you're so much more than just the babysitter to them. You're their big brother. You've been there when they needed you most and you try so hard to protect them. You're not a superhero, you can't always keep them safe, but you always try. And that's what matters. That you're trying. And that you show up and you're there when it counts. You are beyond enough."

"What about you?"

"What do you mean?"

"I do enough for them, but what do I do for you?"

"You let me go." I say, staring into his eyes, making a mental note of how close he's gotten. "You made it possible for us to exist again, someday. By doing what was best for you. Breaking up with me because it was hurting you. Which means that I didn't have the chance to completely destroy this. Us. And you may not be an actual superhero, but as cheesy as this sounds, you're still my hero. And you always will be." The two of us start to lean in, when Lila's voice pulls our attention away from one another.

"She and Robin are perfect for each other. Constantly ruining the moment." He mumbles, as the two of us move away from one another. Everyone upstairs makes their way down to the rest of our friends. We all stand around this dingy old table, watching a chandelier flicker.

"It's like the Christmas lights." Nance whispers. Griffin questions what she means. "Yeah, when Will was in the Upside Down, the lights... came to life."

"Vecna's here. In this house. Just on the other side." Lucas breathes, looking around at us. The lights go out and Robin thinks he left the room. Max wonders if he heard us, while Steve questions if he can see us. "Headphones."

"Wait, wait." Nancy gains our attention. She's got an idea; I can see it on her face. "Everyone, turn off your flashlights and spread out." We all do as she says, well, all except for Steve, who always finds something to argue with. We all wander the premises, flashlights in hand, waiting for any sign of him.

"I got him!" Robin's voice echoes through the house and I rush to find her. "Got him! I got him. I... I had him." Her light goes out, while Steve's turns on.

Oh, whoa." He says, looking at the object. "Oh, I think he's moving. He's moving. He's moving." We follow the light and find ourselves upstairs. "Shit. I lost him."

"No, you didn't." Max moves around us, approaching a door. An attic. Talk about the perfect setting for a horror movie. We all start making our way up. This is so stupid.

"Hold up, guys. What if he's leading us into a trap?" Dustin begs a question that we should all be considering, but we ignore the boy and keep going. Trap or not, we have to know what he wants. "Guys, guys." We reach the attic and there's a singular lightbulb in the center of it, flickering. We surround it and Dustin calls attention to our flashlights, which are all lighting up. Way brighter than usual.

"Okay, what's happening?" Steve questions, his voice wavering slightly. None of us have an answer. Nothing happens for a minute, until each of our lights become so powered that they shatter. Including the bulb above us.

[word count: 3720]

lexi's letters; i know i said last chapter was a lot, but damn for a fairly short chapter; i made this one a lot more emotional lol