𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐍𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐭𝐞𝐞𝐧

ⅵ 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆

THE KIDS LOADED EVERYTHING INTO THE CAR. Dustin and Mike were in the backseat on either side of Chris who had Steve laying his top half against Chris, his head against her neck, her arms wrapped around him to keep him, steady, his legs poking through the front. Max insisted on driving but Miya kicked her off it promising to teach her once she was older, so Max and Lucas were squished into the passenger seat, Miya speeding through the streets.

"Lucas... Where am I going?" Miya spoke in a sing-song voice, glancing at the two kids beside her.

"Yeah yeah I got it, " Lucas said in a calm tone, his eyes moving across the map. "Go a little slower I can't read the signs." Miya slowed the car just enough for Lucas to read the signs. Dustin pressed an ice pack to the side of Steve's head and he started to stir. Chris tapped Dustin as Steve regained some sort of consciousness.

"Nancy?" Steve mumbled looking over to Mike. Steve groaned reaching up to touch his face but Chris gently grabbed his hand, running her thumb across his knuckles.

"Hey, hey, hey," Chris soothed, brushing his hair back. "Don't touch it, angel," Chris said with a laugh. Steve looked at her nodding softly, moving his hand back down letting it rest on the one holding his waist.

"Hey, buddy..." Dustin called catching Steve's attention. "It's okay. You put up a good fight. He kicked your ass, but you put up a fight," Dustin said with a smile.

"You're okay," Chris soothed running a hand through Steve's hair. Steve let out a groan gripping Chris's hand trying to move but she held him still.

"Okay, you're gonna keep straight for half a mile, then make a left on Mount Sinai," Lucas instructed Miya as he and Max held a map open. Miya nodded listing to the instructions.

"What's going on?" Steve mumbled his eyes dropping in and out. He caught a glimpse of Lucas and Max squished on a seat and Miya speeding down the road. "Oh, my God!"

"Just relax. It's Miya driving," Dustin said softly. "They were gonna leave you behind." Steve just kept mumbling and cursing to himself trying to move his body. "I promised that you'd be cool, okay?"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa. What's going on?" Steve called. Miya just pressed her foot down on the gas making the car speed up freaking Steve out. "Oh, my God. No! Whoa! Stop the car. Slow down."

"I told you he'd freak out," Mike yelled at Dustin.

"Stop the car!" Steve yelled out.

"Steve, I need you to calm down," Chris ordered still holding him still.

"Would you all be quiet I cant hear Lucas!" Miya shouted.

"Oh, wait, that's Mount Sinai. Make a left," Lucas spoke frantically glancing between the map and the road.

"What?" Miya asked not quite hearing him.

"Make a left," Lucas repeated louder, not far off shouting. Miya nodded spinning the car nearly drifting car. The tires screeched against the ground and the kids, plus Steve, screamed at Miya's reckless driving. Steve continued screaming for the car to stop gripping onto Chris's arms and knee. Finally, the clearing came into view and Miya skidded to a stop.

"Hello!" Steve screamed as they came to a sudden halt.

"Whoa!" Dustin screamed in a laugh.

"Amazing Miya," Chris complimented and Miya smiled at her through the rear view mirror.

Everyone pilled out of the car running for the boot, Steve rolled off Chris landing on the ground outside. Chris slipped out holding Steve up. "Your okay, just stand here," Chris smiled before rushing over to Miya.

"Guys," Steve called out as all the others slipped on bandannas and goggles, Chris had a black and red bandanna and a pair of construction glasses. "Oh, no. Guys," Steve called out hanging his head back, Mike walked past him rope and gas can in each hand. "Hey, where do you think you're going?" Max walked past him to kneel with Mike as they tied the rope to Billy's car. "What are you, deaf? Hello? We are not going down there right now. I made myself clear." Steve ordered Lucas and Miya walked past him, Miya holding her axe at her side. Steve rushed over to the Henderson kids as they picked out the last few things. "Hey, there's no chance we're going to that hole, all right? This ends right now!" Steve yelled ripping something from Dustin's hands and slamming it back in the car.

Dustin sighed turning to Steve. "Steve, you're upset, I get it. But the bottom line is, a party member requires assistance, and it is our duty to provide that assistance," Dustin explained methodically making Chris furrow her eyebrows in confusion at his words.

"I know you promised Nancy you would keep them safe," Chris stated reaching in the back of the car. "So, keep them safe." Chris passed Steve the backpack with Steve's bat in it. Steve sighs looking between the bag and Chris. Chris ushered Dustin to the others. "Steve please," Chris begged, taking Steve's hand. Steve ripped the bag from her hands throwing it over his shoulders.

Chris smiled up at him. "Quit smiling," Steve ordered and Chris passed him face ware and they walked over to the others.

"If this goes south, even remotely," Steve started as he took the rope in his hands standing over the hole, "We leave. No buts, ifs or what's."

The kids nodded and Steve jumped down the hole. One by one they piled down the hole, Miya and Chris the last to drop down. "Holy shit." Miya gasped as she got a good look around. Chris went to drag a hand along the wall but it retracted itself in pain.

"Why is it doing that?" Max asked standing next to Chris. Chris ripped her glove off hovering her hand an inch away from them and it whined in pain. "I don't understand." Max looked to Chris for an answer.

"My body heat is too much for it, that's why I'm not wearing a jacket, or a full shirt," Chris explained her eyes watching the walls. "Your goggles-" Chris turned Max slightly and tightened the goggle straps. "There." Max smiled and thanked her before walking to Lucas. Chris went to walk to Mike to see the map when Dustin grabbed her and pulled her away slightly.

"Chris I know this is a lot," Dustin started. "But can you promise me, promise you'll keep my friends safe as well?" Dustin looked over his friends and then brought his eyes back to his sister, "'Please, you're my superhero."

"Promise, besides I was planning to anyway," Chris smiled and nodded ruffling her brother's hair. "I was gonna knock your hat off but it's disgusting down here," Chris explained with a laugh."Yeah, I'm pretty sure it's this way," Mike called out pointing a torch down the tunnel.

"You're pretty sure, or you're certain?" Dustin yelled out tightening his gloves, Chris stood by Miya helping her tighten her gloves.

"I'm 100% sure," Mike yelled back. "Just follow me and you'll know." Mike went to walk away but Steve's yelling stopped him.

"Whoa, whoa, whoa. Hey, hey, hey, hey. I don't think so." Steve reached over snatching the map from Mike.

"What?" Mike asked confused.

"Any of you little shits die down here, I'm getting the blame. Got it, dipshit? From here on out, I'm leading the way. Come on, let's go," Steve said taking the lead. Miya went after a few kids making her in the middle and Chris lagged behind walking behind the whole group. "Come on. Hey, a little hustle."

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THE GROUP WALKED DOWN TEH TUNNELS UNTIL THEY REACHED THE THE TUNNEL INTERSECTION. "God," Lucas spoke his eyes scanning the area.

"What is this place?" Max asked her voice low.

"Guys, come on. Keep moving," Steve called. Chris went to follow after but Dustin stayed put training his light on the ceiling.

"What the hell?" Dustin mumbled.

"Dustin?" Chris asked. Dustin took his eyes off the ceiling for a moment and got sprayed in the face, "Dust!" Dustin fell back screaming curses. Chris pulled Dustin up but he only fell over again.

"Help! Help! Help!" Dustin yelled.

"Dustin," Mike called running over to Dustin who was sputtering on the floor. The others came running over calling his name.

"What happened?" Steve asked running over.

"It's in my mouth! Some got on my mouth! Shit!" Dustin whimpered while coughing, he stopped and took a breath. "I'm okay," Dustin said simply. Chris looked at Dustin slapping his hat off.

"You serious?" Miya said in disappointment though her breathing was still coming out in rapid pants, her eyes scanning him for any injuries.

"Very funny, man," Steve said walking off. Chris pulled Dustin back up.

"You sure you're alright?" Chris asked and Dustin nodded with an apologetic smile. "Alright, let's go." Chris stood up walking off, Dustin was quick to catch up.

"Hang on. Wait, wait," Dustin spoke, running in front of Chris.

The Henderson's caught up to the others as they reached a sort of clearing. "All right, Wheeler. I think we found your hub," Steve announced shining his light around. The others followed their torches showing each tunnel opening.

"Let's drench it," Mike ordered.

Each person with whatever gas can or sprayer they grabbed at the Byers, drenched the walls, the tunnel opening, the floor, and the ones with the sprayers drenched the roof. Chris and Lucas were on the sprayers being weary of the drops falling. As each person finished with their cans they dropped them in the middle. Mike was the last to finish throwing his can in the middle.The group were breathing heavily, taking their posting at the tunnel they came in. "All right, you guys ready?" Steve asked. The group let out different agreements and Dustin nudged Chris forward.

"Light her up," Dustin ordered.

"We are in such deep shit," Miya commented making Chris chuckle. Chris took a breath and her right hand engulfed itself in flames. Chris pressed her hand to the ground and the vines started screaming without even being touched by the gas flames, she flicked her hand and the flames jumped to the gas engulfing the walls in flames.

"Go, go, go!" Steve yelled running off the kids following. "Let's go, let's go!" Steve continued yelling running with the others.

"Oh, my God. Oh, my God." Dustin yelled as they all rushed back.

"Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God! Oh, my God!" Steve yelled halting slightly to stare at his map. "Hey, this way!" The group ran after him but fell to the ground.

"Help! Help! Help! Help!" Mike screeched, his body slamming to the floor as a vine wrapped around his leg. "Help! Help!" Chris ran back to Mike, Miya and Dustin with her, the others just behind.

"Holy shit!" Dustin yelled.

"Miya, pull him out," Chris ordered, Miya grabbed under his arms tugging him. Chris set her hand on the vine and it yelled retracting itself off of Mike. Miya grabbed him pulling Mike to stand and making sure he stood straight.

"You okay?" Lucas asked now the whole group around Mike.

"Guys, we gotta go!" Steve called trying to pull them along. The group span when a growl rang out behind them. Miya jumped in front of everyone holding her axe high.

"Dart," Dustin recognised. The group was quietly yelling at him to stop or to move but he simply shushed them. "Trust me, please. Hey. It's me, it's me. It's just your friend, it's Dustin." Dustin pulled own the cloth he had wrapped around his face. "It's Dustin, all right? You remember me? Will you let us pass?" Dustin asked a series of questions.

Dart simply snarled turning to growl at Chris, showing off one of its petals that had looked like it had been melted. "Okay, okay, I'm sorry. I'm sorry about your... face. But you did bite me," Chris said in a laugh keeping a close stance behind Dustin. Dart hummed, almost like he was apologising.

"You hungry? Yeah?" Dustin asked reaching for his bag. Chris could hear the others mumbling but ignored them. "I've got our favourite. See? Nougat." Dustin ripped the wrapper off placing it in front of Dart. Dart looked at it before starting to scoff it down. "Look at that. Yummy. Here, all right? Eat up, buddy. Come on. Come on." Dustin encouraged before motioning a hand for the others to pass. They all swept past Dart but Miya stood still listening to growls approaching.

"Miya c'mon," Chris whispered. Miya shook her head gripping her axe.

"I can hold them back, just for a little bit so you can get the kids out," Miya spoke turning to face Chris.

"What? No, no, no way," Chris shook her head trying to tug Miya along, but Miya pulled away and slammed the axe into a stray Demodog that had rounded the corner.

"I'll only hold them back for a minute, just to get you some time," Miya reasoned.

"Chris, I'm almost out Nougat," Dustin spoke catching the girl's attention.

"If you're not up there a minute after we are, I'm coming back," Chris said sternly. Miya nodded and walked back down the tunnel a bit.

Chris pulled Dustin up and they caught up to the group just to hear Steve yell. "Let's go, let's go!" Steve yelled trying to lead the kids when the tunnels growled and shook knocking everyone over.

"What was that?" Max asked standing back up "Wait where's Miya?" Max spun her light around.

"She's buying us time, let's go!" Chris yelled, and the others rushed on.

"Let's go! Let's go!" Mike yelled running ahead looking for where they came in.

"Come on, Mike! Move, Mike!" Dustin yelled out.

"There, there!" Lucas yelled pointing to the rope. The group kept yelling for them to go and Steve made it to the rope boosting Max up. She pulled herself up and reached down to pull Lucas up. Steve pushed him up by feet and Max pulled him fully out. They repeated the action for Mike and Dustin when a loud defining growl rang out close to Steve and Chris.

"You go," Chris insisted.

"What? no," Steve snapped.

"Get out, I'm going back for Miya. Do not argue, I am not listening," Chris snapped with a harsh glare. Steve sighed and started to pull himself up the ropes. "No one comes back down!"Chris took a deep breath before rushing back through the tunnels.

"Chrisanna!" Dustin yelled, trying to go back down the rope but Steve stopped him.

The growls and screeches echoed off the walls, and Chris could hear screams and yells from Miya. Chris stopped as she watched as two Demodog's tore into Miya's side, and three others split open around them. Chris grabbed Miya's and swung at the lining ones, killing them immediately. "M-Miya?" Chris questioned pressing her hands on her wounds, trying to stop the bleeding. Miya's eyes were shut but Chris could see a weak pulse against her neck.

Stamping filled her ears as more Demodog's approached. Orange filled Chris's eyes and small cracks broke out across her face. Chris shielded Miya and stood in the centre of the tunnel. Chris held her hand out, shooting fire through the tunnels, it wasn't until the hoard of Demodog's rushed around the corner that Chris screamed.

Chris yelled, the fire leapt from her chest, throwing itself off her spread arms. The red flames the orange fire bounded through the tunnels melting anything in its wake. The Demodog's screeched and roared, and the vines whined. Chris yelled as she reeled her arms in, bringing the fire back to her body. 

෴

❝ there's a calm in my 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒆 ❞