Amelia grunts as she drops her bag full of supplies, she grabbed from her house. She just hopes it's enough. She gets on her knees and shakes out several bags of herbs, candles and wire with matches on the leaf covered ground. She quickly grabs a twig and her twine. She wraps the twig as she mutters her Latin. Calling forth the sacred magic that raced through her veins. What her ancestors have taught her over the years till now. She takes another twig and wraps more of her enchanted twine, creating a totem for guidance. She stabs a stick into the dirt and begins to draw a large circle around her. For protection if anything decided to surprise her. She mutters more Latin as she draws druid signs in each corner.

Once everything was set, she kneels in the middle and grabs her bag full of herbs. Opening the drawstrings, she takes pinches of the herbs between her fingers and sprinkles it around her form and throws some towards each corner of the Earth.

With a deep sigh, she rises on her knees and spreads her arms out wide as she looks up into the gray skies.

"Remove these chains of time and space..."

Her voice distorts darkly as she blindly reaches for her blade that was in her bag, slicing her hand open and lets the blood drip on the ground.

"Allow my sight be bright as night..."

She mixes the blood in the dirt till it was muddy and brings two fingers covered with blood goop, smearing it over her eyelids and down her cheeks.

"I call upon Goddess' grace.
Mother Goddess. Holy and Divine
Hear this call of Mine.

Release the veil that blinds my sight
Let me see this child's might.
Guide me through dark
I summon you now, Goddess Ozark
Shatter the chains

So mote it be!"

Amelia shouts in pain as her body arches back with a loud crack. Visions begin to flash through her mind, stabbing over and over again. She could see a dark world. A forest. A forest filled with dead trees. Growls echoing in the shadows. She cries out in pain but continues to allow the visions stab inside her. She grits her teeth and holds on. Spores were floating all around, the smell of toxic air was thick. She couldn't breathe. She couldn't breathe! Gasping, she clutches her throat as the color drains in her face.

"Help me!" Will's distorted voice screams in echoes.

With a loud gasp, Amelia finds herself sprawled over the circle, coughing as clean air fill her lungs. Gasping, she struggles to get up and pants softly. What was that? She lets out a shuddering breath and cries softly as she slowly brings her knees up to hug them against her chest. The fear in that poor boy's voice sent such chills through her soul. He was scared in a dark world. But how can she help to get him back home?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"Will!"

"Will Byers!"

"Will!"

"Will, we're here for you, bud!"

Several voices around him shout out Will's name, calling him to answer them. But nothing. Just continuous shouting.

Jim sighs heavily, seriously hoping this was nothing to worry about, but the search has been going on all afternoon and now it was pitch black with flashlights shinning throughout the woods and not one single clue. He places a cigarette between his lips and was about to light it up, but a hand snatches out and yanks it out of his mouth. He frowns and looks down to see that annoying woman standing mere inches away, snapping his cigarette in her fingers.

He scoffs, "Seriously?" Where the hell did she come from?

"Ever heard of forest fires, Sheriff?" Amelia smirks and tucks the broken cigarette in her pockets. He sees that she went home and changed, she was dressed in tight jeans instead of that skirt and wore a jean jacket. She sighs heavily, her breath coming out in a harsh fog, "Anything?" She asks with a serious, worried look.

He sighs and looks around, shaking his head, "Nothing. Not a single clue."

She sighs and sniffles, "I really believe we'll find him. You'll find him. Just wish it was now than later."

Jim clears his throat, "Yeah, me, too." He shines his light everywhere, scanning ever inch, "So, uh, where did you move from?"

Amelia laughs softly, "Massachusetts. Boston. Big city living, but my heart is made for small towns." She grins up at him, earning a chuckle.

"Yeah, I know what you mean." Hopper smirks at the memories of living in New York.

"How about you? I'm honestly tired of hearing all these rumors about the big, bad grizzly of Hawkins, Indiana. I rather hear it from the source." She says as she waves her hand up and down his form.

Hopper grunts in displeasure, almost afraid of what everyone has told her about him, "What do you wanna know?"

"Well, Flo says you moved here four years ago, but you were born and raised here. Where did you go?" She asks.

Hopper sighs, "New York City. Like any other small town hick, I wanted to explore the world and best place to do that was in New York. But I joined the Army and served. Even joined the Vietnam war. Served in the Corps as well."

Amelia makes an impressed sound, "Wow, a combat fighter. That's awesome. But why did you move back?"

Hopper's mood sours when she asked that question, "Just...uh....was homesick." He mutters.

Amelia sighs, "Okay, Mr. Tough Guy, hide in that shell again. But one day, I'm gonna break it. I accept the challenge." She gives him a cute little smile.

Hopper snorts out a scoff, "Sounds like you finally got me figured out?"

Amelia sighs as she studies him again, "All I got right now is a tough as nails personality, chain-smoker and you drink by the smell of your breath. But you care for the town and it's people even though they get on your nerves more than you like."

Hopper frowns at her, how right she was. Suddenly, he jumps when he feels a cold, yet soft as silk hand on his rough cheek. He looks down and sees her reaching up to touch him.

"But you carry sadness in those eyes. Not many can see it. But I can." She says softly as she slowly removes her hand, making his heart freeze. "And pain. Great pain. I won't ask. I promise. When you're ready, then I'll have you all figured out." She gives him a small, soft smile and feels her touch his wrist, lightly touching the hair tie he carried and walks away.

Jim breath begins to grow heavy with thick emotion, his heart swells up in pain. Does she know? Does she know about...her?

"He's a good student."

Jim jumps as a voice is made next to him. He sighs when he sees it was a teacher. He has seen him before, but can't really remember his name.

"What?" Jim asks.

"Will. He's a good student. Great one, actually. I don't think we've met. Scott Clarke. Teacher, Hawkins Middle. Earth and biology." Mr. Clark says as he reaches out.

Jim shakes his hand and continues to search as Scott follows next to him.

"Are you a man of science, Sheriff?" Mr. Clark asks.

"I always had a distaste for science." Jim says.

"Well, maybe you had a bad teacher." Mr. Clark says.

"Yeah, Ms. Ratliff was a piece of work." Jim says.

Mr. Clark chuckles, "Ratliff? You bet. She's still kicking around, believe it or not." He scoffs.

"Oh, I believe it. Mummies never die, so they tell me. Sarah, my daughter...Galaxies, the universe, whatnot...She always understood all that stuff. I always figured there was enough going on down here, I never needed to look elsewhere." Jim says as he thinks about when Sarah would express her love for astronomy. His heart begins to break as her face flashes in his mind.

"Your daughter, what grade is she? Maybe I'll get her in my class."

"No, she, uh...She lives with her mom in the city. Thanks for coming out, Teach. We really appreciate it." Jim says as he moves away.

Scott frowns at the Sheriff's sudden attitude.

"She died." Amelia speaks up, startling Scott.

"I'm sorry?" He frowns at her, he didn't even see her approach them.

"This is what I heard from others. His daughter, Sarah. She passed away several years ago." Amelia sighs sadly. "It looks like he's having trouble moving own, but can you blame him? As a father?"

Mr. Clark looks at her in shock and then to Hopper, "That's awful."

"Maybe it's best not to ask about her. Ok, Mr. Clark?" She suggests.

Mr. Clark nods in understanding, "Oh, of course. Um, I don't think we properly met?" He asks.

Amelia smiles and holds up a hand, "Amelia Holloway, owner of the bakery 'Sweet Talk'."

Scott smiles and shakes her hand, "Scott Clark. Teacher, Hawkins Middle. Earth and biology."

Amelia looks impressed, "Then you know Will well?" She asks.

"Oh, yes, he's an excellent student, very smart and a good kid. Really big heart on his shoulders." He sighs and looks around, "Guess this wasn't the kind of town you were expecting?" He says meekly.

"Hey, kids go missing no matter if it's a small or large place. I just hope we'll find him and soon." Amelia says.

Scott nods, "Do you have family in Hawkins?" He asks.

"Oh, no, my family is long gone. It's just me."

"But you're so young! You should be married with kids." Scott exclaims. "I apologize if that sounded..."

"Oh, no, it's ok. I get that a lot. Never really got the chance for something like that." She sighs and looks beyond towards Jim in wonder, "But maybe it'll happen."

Scott gives her a smile and takes off to search further with the party for Will.

Suddenly, thunder begins to rumble throughout the dark skies. Amelia looks up and sighs, of all the times in the world, Mother Nature had to choose tonight.

"Great." She mutters and watches the search party retreat.

"Okay, everyone! Listen up!" Hopper's voice rings out. "I know no one wants to be out here in the cold, especially with a storm coming, so we're going to regroup in the morning, bright and early. Right now, go home and stay safe!" He says and begins to walk with the search party back to where the cars were.

Amelia sighs as she reaches her car and winces when her keys hit her wrapped hand. She was still tender from her ritual earlier. She barely noticed Hopper walking by and catching the sight of her bandaged hand.

"What happened?" He asks as he moves to stand next to her.

Amelia turns and laughs meekly, "I cut myself like a klutz when I was looking for my flashlight." She scoffs and winces when he takes her hand to exam it.

"Sorry." He frowns at the cut as he pulls the bandage away just enough to exam it, it seemed too cleaned to be an accident. It almost looked like it was done on purpose. "Do you keep knives next to your flashlights?" He asks sarcastically.

Amelia pulls her hand out of his grip, "Maybe I do. Maybe I don't." She shrugs and fixes her bandage. "You don't have worry, Chief. But it's sweet of you." She smiles and turns to get into her car.

As she was buckling up, Hopper knocks on her window. She rolls it down and watches him lean down, "Yes?" She asks.

"Be sure to go straight home and stay there..."

Amelia stutters as she cuts him off, "I promised Joyce to come by and keep her updated. Don't worry, if the storm gets too bad, I'll simply spend the night."

Hopper frowns at her, "You know, you're really something." He scoffs at her.

Amelia simply smiles with a shrug, "And that's a bad thing?"

"I'm still deciding."

Amelia scoffs, "Well, let me know when you make your decision. Would love to pick your brain." She laughs and starts up her car. "Be safe, Sheriff. See you tomorrow." She says and begins to drive off as he removes himself from her car.

Hopper watches her drive off and sighs. What this woman was doing to him...he still couldn't figure it out. And that cut. Why did she cut herself? He begins to walk towards his truck and reaches into his pockets for his cigarettes. He pulls one out and begins to light it up. But before he could enjoy it, a single raindrop falls right on the burning tip.

He scoffs, "You gotta be shittin' me." He growls. And that was his last one, too.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Thunder rumbles strongly over the Byers' house as rain begins to fall. Amelia arrived just as it started to pour. She squeals as she rushes towards the door and watches it snatch open by Johnathan, urging her to get inside.

"Thanks." She pants and pulls Theo out of her coat, "I couldn't leave him at home." She sighs and places him down. "God, it's really coming down out there." She adds as she removes her coat and hangs it up.

"Anything?" Joyce walks into the room with hope.

Amelia sighs and shakes her head, "We covered most of the woods and still no sign. Hopper made everyone go home as soon as the storm came."

Joyce sniffles and rubs her tired face, "But, he's out there. Alone."

Amelia moves and grabs her arms, "Hey, Will is smart. He'll be safe. He'll find a place to hide from the storm."

Joyce sighs out a shuddering breath, "God, but where is he? I want him safe in my arms, not out there."

Amelia sighs and pulls into a tight hug, "I know. It's gonna be okay." She looks over and sees Johnathan barely holding it together, but sees pictures scattered over the table. "What are you doing?" She asks.

Johnathan scratches the back of his head, "I thought we should make flyers, spread them all over town to help the search."

Amelia lets go of Joyce and helps her to sit on the couch, "That's actually a great idea. Could I help?" She asks.

Johnathan nods, "Sure." He moves and sits on the couch, next to his mom as Amelia sits in the armchair nearby.

Joyce was so impressed with his eye for photography. She exclaims in wonder as she looks through the photos.

"Jonathan, wow. You took these? These are great." She begins to sniffle as she thinks how much she has missed, "Wow, they really are. I know I haven't been there for you." She stammers her words, "I've been...working so hard and I...I just feel bad. I don't even...barely know what's going on with you." She stops and chuckles and sighs softly, "I am sorry about that." She says.

Amelia smiles at the wonderful pictures of Will and the family and some were just random pictures of most of the town, "Your mom is right. You're so talented, Johnathan." She looks up and her smile slowly falls as she hears sniffles coming from him.

Jonathan slowly lowers his head and begins to sob softly. Guilt was eating him alive. He hated himself and knew he should be blamed for Will's disappearance. If only he was here, Will never would have gone missing.

"Hey, what is it? What is it, honey?" Joyce frowns as she rubs his back in comfort.

"Nothing." Jonathan sniffles and wipes his tears away.

"Tell me. Tell me. Come on. You can..." Joyce says, but Jonathan shakes his head.

"No. It's just..." His voice begins to break, "I should've been there for him." He says as his lips tremble.

Joyce begins to softly cry with him, her voice becoming hoarsely, "No. Oh, no. You can't do that to yourself. This was not your fault. Do you hear me? He is... close. I know it. " She stammers her words, "I...I feel it in my heart." She says as she places a hand over her chest, sniffling softly. "You just have to...You have to trust me on this, okay?"

Jonathan sniffles, but nods, "Yeah."

Amelia moves to take the other side of the couch and rubs his back, "Hey, listen to your mom. She's telling the truth. Mothers always know best. Right?"

Johnathan sniffles and nods as more tears begin to fall.

Joyce looks at the photos and chuckles as she finds a perfect picture of Will in the pile. She picks it up and smiles, "Oh, look at this. Look at this one. Look at this one." She shares a soft laugh with Jonathan. "I mean, that's it, right?"

Jonathan smiles through the tears, "Yeah."

Joyce's voice becomes hoarsely again, "That's it. That's the one." She sighs and hugs him tight.

Amelia reaches and looks at the photo, "It's perfect." She says with a soft smile.

The trio snap their heads up as the phone begins to ring, Joyce gets up and rushes to the phone, "Hello?"

Expecting someone to speak, but all Joyce could hear was silence and static through the receiver. "Hello?" She tries again but still all she could hear was static. "Lonnie?" She suspected maybe it was her ex-husband.

Jonathan frowns, "Dad?"

But no answer, "Hopper?" She asks again.

"Is it Hopper?" Amelia asks.

Suddenly, she could hear muffled breathing, "Who is this?" She clutches on to the phone tightly as the breathing continues. She knew that breathing. She knew it well. She gasps softly as tears form in her eyes, "Will? Will?"

"It's Will?" Jonathan gets to his feet quickly and rushes towards his mom with hope in his eyes.

Amelia gasps and moves closer, watching carefully.

"Mom! Mom, I'm here!" Will's voice echos distortedly around Amelia, but Joyce and Johnathan couldn't hear what she could.

Joyce could hear a scrambled voice chittering. She suspected maybe the storm was giving them a bad reception. She sobs and frowns when hears the voice. It wasn't Will. Maybe Will was kidnapped and she could hear the kidnapper's voice.

"Mom, it's Will?" Jonathan asks as he watches her face.

"Who is this?" Joyce yells into the phone. Her heart races when she hears growling. Was the kidnapper growling at her? "What have you done to my boy?" She yells again.

Jonathan watches in horror as his heart drops to the floor. Someone had Will? Did they want money for him? What did they want?

"What? What?" He begs her for answers as she continues to listen.

"Give me back my son!" She yells.

Amelia flinches as she hears a distorted roar erupt in the air, as if it was made right by her. At the same time, an electrical surge jolts through the phone and violently shocks Joyce, making her scream in pain and drop the phone.

Jonathan grabs the phone to listen, but he couldn't hear anything, "Hello? Hello, who is this? Hello? Who is this?" He demands, but nothing. The phone was dead. He pulls away and sees the soot covering the phone. What the hell happened?

Amelia rushes and towards Joyce, trying to calm her down, "Joyce, Joyce! Calm. Breathe, you're gonna make yourself pass out."

Joyce sobs as she clutches her hand. Jonathan turns to face her and grabs her gently by her shoulders, "Mom, who was it? Who was it, Mom?"

Joyce could barely get a word out as she sobs, muttering incoherently, "It was him."

"Look at me, Mom. Was it Will?" Jonathan asks.

"Yes."

"What did he say?" He begs.

Sobbing harder, "He just breathed. He just breathed."

Jonathan hugs her tight, holding her to calm her, but he was shaking himself, "And was someone else there?"

"I..."

"Mom, who was there? Who was it?"

"It was him. I know it was his breathing. I know it was his breathing." Joyce sobs as she holds on to Jonathan. She knew it was Will. She knew. But where was he? Who had her boy? She needed to find him...and bring him home.

Amelia shudders, Will was trying to contact his mom. Calling her for help. But something...something was hunting him. She could feel it. She looks down at Theo who meows worriedly. Sensing the same thing she could. There's something out there. And it's evil. Hungry. And something tells her...it's big and powerful.