Chapter Thirty 

"Griswold Family, this is Scoops Troop, do you-" I cringed when I heard the Walkie Talkie being smashed. We were all hiding throughout the mall, trying to make a little sound as possible. This Mind Flayer is huge, it's the biggest thing I have ever fought before. 

I hide behind the car with Lucas, Nancy, Jonathan, and Will. We were all sweating out our nerves, my hands were growing clammy as I heard Dustin speak over and over on the Walkie Talkie, but it cracks every single. 

I hugged my knees to my chest, hearing the growl. The Mind Flayer is walking around the court, probably destroying everything that it steps on. I glanced at the others, terrified is what I'd describe their faces.

Max, Mike, and Eleven all hide elsewhere in the mall. I just hope to God they don't get caught. It lets out another roar, sending shivers down my spine. My heart is ging throughout the roof, the lights throughout the food court flash randomly. 

I looked up in the review mirror. I catch a glimpse of the Mind Flayer, lifting one of the dead guards away forcefully. I flinched away from the mirror. Suddenly, The Mind Flayer sounded like it was on the move. I had a strong feeling it had something to do with Max, Mike, and Eleven. 

Don't be stupid, guys. I thought, my hands trembling. There was a crash and a growl heard. Shaking, I turned around carefully and looked over the car, gripping on the edge of the car. The Mind Flayer had it's back towards us, it was searching within that store which meant Max, Mike, and Eleven had moved places. 

I smoothly and quickly, I got back to my original positions, my chest going up and down heavily as I breathe. Lucas had taken a quick peek to see what was going on as well then ducked behind again and grabbed his slingshot. 

"What are you doing?" Nancy hissed at him very quietly. 

"Don't worry," Lucas whispered back to her. Lucas then stands up and aims his slingshot at The Mind Flayer, then shifts the slingshot towards the balloons and suddenly there was a loud pop, causing The Mind Flayer to roar in that direction. 

Lucas ducked down as quickly as he can, pressing his back against the car. I looked over the car as hidden as possible and The Mind Flayer was stomping away from the store. 

"Go, go, go, go, go!" I called out quickly, we all spring one by one popping over a counter into the delivery court hallway and we go up a flight of emergency stairs. 

We got out the entrance, I breathed in the fresh air, feeling somewhat calm as we made it to the car. Nancy and Jonathan put the ignition cable into the station wagon, I looked out ahead of me as Lucas and Will pile into the car. 

Billy was still here. He reves his engine and my stomach are turning again. "Get the car started," Nancy tells Jonathan. "Go!" 

Jonathan slams the hood. I watched as Nancy stepped out in front of our car with a gun. I stood beside her and she gave me a look. "You're gonna need some backup, sweetheart," I tell her before looking back at Billy's car, his headlights glowing in the distances. 

Behind us, Jonathan had jumped into the car and tried to start the car, but the engine splutters. Billy begins to drive forward speeding straight towards us and I take deep breaths, getting ready to scream. Nancy shoots the gun, he's not close enough for my range. 

Just as he was about to come close to us; I was about to scream, but instead, Steve had come flying straight at Billy's car, Billy's car swerves out of the way. I looked at the car, there was Robin, Steve, and Stiles. 

Stiles had jumped out of the car and sprints towards me, checking up on me. "Are you okay?" He asked quickly, it looked like he was almost in tears and I nod before he wrapped me up in a hug. He pulled away when Billy's car catches fire with Billy slumped against the door. 

My attention was brought back to The Mind Flayer that now stands above us on the broken ceiling of Starcourt. It lets out a roar at us. I didn't even realise that Jonathan had gotten the station wagon working. 

Stiles pulls me inside the car and we pulled up beside Robin and Steve. "Get in!" Nancy yelled in the front seat next to Jonathan who was driving. Stiles and I were in the back, Robin and Steve joined us, Lucas and Will were in the middle seat. 

We speed through the parking lot, The Mind Flayer climbs off the roof of the mall, following us making my heart pound. My eyes moved away from it chasing us as we speed away. I sit next to Stiles, my hands clamped onto his. 

I gave him a worried smile. "This never gets any better, huh?" 

He lets out a laugh and placed a kissed on my sweaty hand. "I got to admit, I'd rather Kate over this." I let out a snort in amusement. Kate was less violent at this. 

"And I miss Peter," I somewhat joked, causing the two of to laugh in this weird time. I slumped against Stiles, a frown falling on my face. I missed everyone. Even Peter, he wasn't as bad as this, at least he had somewhat of a heart. 

The others stayed quiet as Jonathan speeds on the road. I felt Stiles kiss my forehead. My stomach turns again, I felt like screaming. God, I wanted to scream so bad. But I'd probably kill everyone in this vehicle if I did.

"Dusty-Bun, you copy?" I frowned some more and looked at the walkie talkie Robin was holding in her hand. 

"I copy, Suzie-Poo," my eyes widen in realisation; it was Dustin. And that, that was Suzie... His girlfriend. "It sounds much better now, thanks." 

"Suzie," Stiles, Steve, Robin, and I speak at the same time with wide eyes, all looking at each other. 

"Okay, so, listen," Dustin begins. "Do you know Planck's constant?" 

"Do you know the Earth orbits the sun?" Suzie remarked back. 

"Okay, so I know it starts with two sixes, and then a..." Dustin trailed off slightly. "W-What is it?" 

"Okay, let me just be clear on this." Suzie begins. "I haven't heard from you in a week and now you want a mathematical equation that you should know so you can... Save the world?"

"Suzie-Poo, I promise, I will make it up to you as soon as possible," Dustin tells her. 

"You can make it up to me now," Suzie compromised. 

"What?"

"I want to hear it," Suzie tells him. 

"Not right now," Dustin sounded nervous, causing me to actually want to know what the heck they're on about. 

"Yes, now, Dusty-Bun," Suzie demanded. 

"Suzie-Poo, this is urgent," Dustin tried again.

"Yes, yes, you're saving the world, I heard you the first time, but Ged is also saving Earthsea and he's about to confront the shadow, so this is Suzie, signing off." Suzie had ranted and I sighed. 

"Wait, wait, wait!" Dustin had quickly said. "Okay, okay, okay." It went silent for a moment. "Turn around, look at what you see, in her face, the mirror of your dreams," 

I raised an eyebrow. "Is he... Singing?" 

"Make believe I'm everywhere," Suzie and Dustin had both joined in on the singing and my mouth drops. "Given in the light, written on the pages is, the answer to a never-ending story," 

I hugged my knees, waiting for them to stop singing. I never knew Dustin could sing. This isn't some musical, however. We were all in bewilderment, they are actually singing. 

"Planck's constant is 6.62607004." Suzie had said as soon as they finished singing. 

"You just save the world," Dustin had told her. 

"Gosh, I miss you Dusty-Bun," Suzie cooed at him. I rolled my eyes, gross. 

"And I miss you more, Suzie-Poo," suddenly, Dustin was disconnected and I'm pretty sure it had something to do with Erica. She would've hated it more than anything. 

My eyes wander back over to The Mind Flayer nervously, I noticed it had stopped and I leant forward slightly. Why is it turning around? "It's turning around," I told them nervously.

"What?" Nancy turns around and looked out the back. 

"It's turning around!" Steve repeated, looking out the back window. 

"Maybe we wore it out," Lucas suggested. That would be a nice thought. 

"I don't think so," Jonathan speaks. "Hold on." Jonathan had done a U-Turn, my body lops onto Stiles and I quickly pushed myself off him.

We speed back. Jonathan drives as fast as he can go. Suddenly, there is a silhouetted human figure standing in the road with glowing blue eyes; and everyone screams as Jonathan dodged the person, my eyes widening. 

I moved towards the very back, pushing myself against the glass. The man was hard to see, but it honestly looked like... "Who the hell was that?" Steve had yelled out, his own eyes widening. We got further and further away from the person, my heart pounding. 

"Peter," I had whispered under my breath. It looked like him, even if you could barely see him but he had that signature look. I looked back at Stiles who wore the same expression as me.  

He's actually here. My stomach turns again, a new set of emotions waving in as we drive away from Peter who still stands in the middle of the road, looking back out at us. 

We had made it to the mall, my mind was on Peter so I didn't know what the plan was when they were discussing it. 

So, now I was on the second level of the court, throwing fireworks with Lucas and Will on one side of the court at The Mind Flayer, who was about to kill Eleven who was weakly on the ground. 

"Flay this you piece of shit!" Lucas had yelled out at The Mind Flayer, throwing a firework. On the other side, Jonathan and Nancy throw more fireworks. 

"Hey, asshole! Over here!" Stiles had yelled out on another area of the level two court was Steve, Robin and Stiles. We continue to throw fireworks, my eyes looked over at Billy who was there as well; dropping to all fours, next to Eleven.

Billy screams and Eleven starts to crawl away, but he grabbed her by the ankle and drags her to the monster's feet. Leaning over, Billy seizes Eleven by the shoulders and slams her against the floor. 

I had swiftly made it the bottom level where they were; Eleven needed my help. As I was about the step into that mess, a body pulled me out of the way and slammed me against the wall, I winced in pain, closing my eyes. 

I opened my eyes after a few seconds, starring into Peter's blue glaring eyes. I almost choked; I was right, it was Peter. "The hell," I hissed at him. "Let go me!" I tried to get him to remove his hands from my wrists which were pushed against the wall. 

"Seven feet," I had heard Eleven tell Billy and my gaze looked over at them. "You told her... The wave was seven feet. You ran to her, on the beach. There were seagulls. She wore a hat... With a blue ribbon. A long dress... With a blue and red flower. Yell- Yellow sandals, covered in sand. She was pretty. She was really pretty."

Billy nods emotionally, gazing down at Eleven. "And you..." Eleven continued, I felt Peter's hands release slightly on my wrist and I pulled them away from him, looking down at my wrists, rubbing them and looking back at them. "You were happy,"

Eleven slides her hand onto Billy's cheek and he shuts his glassy eyes peacefully, tears dripping down his face. The Mind Flayer straightens and turns its attention to Billy who Billy had looked up at The Mind Flayer, and released Eleven. 

I pushed past Peter who was trying to grab me and kneeled down on the ground next to Eleven, she grasps onto me and I pulled her towards me. Billy stood on his feet, standing between The Mind Flayer and us. 

The Mind Flayer roars. The tentacle from The Mind Flayer's mouth shoots out, Billy thrusts both hands forward and holds it back. I helped Eleven slide backwards, getting as far away from The Mind Flayer as possible. 

Billy's hands sink into The Mind Flayer's slimy flesh as he pushes against it; my eyes widen in horror as several other tentacle's worms away from The Mind Flayer's body, one sinks its claws into Billy's side and he lets out a scream. 

Another tentacle hits him on the other side. Blood spreading across his white tank top. The mouth tentacle withdraws as the other tentacle's attack, puncturing Billy's body from all angles. 

Billy sinks to his knees and he looks up fearfully to the Mind Flayers. Blood streaming from his opened mouth; letting out a scream. The Mind Flayer punchers its mouth tentacle into his chest. 

"Billy!" I flinched when I heard Max scream behind me. The tentacle retracts from him and Billy slumps limply onto the floor. Suddenly, the Mind Flayer was screeching and collapses to the ground; dead. 

I stand up shakily, removing myself from Eleven. Everything in the moment, felt like a huge wave hit me, hard. I didn't bother to stop myself from screaming, which caused all the lights to shatter that were once blinking rapidly, the glass that I hadn't shattered before breaks. I stumbled backwards but was quickly caught by Stiles who holds me from behind. 

The scream died, my stomaching turning stopped all of a sudden. I should've known. I knew someone was going to die tonight, I should've known it was going to Billy, hell, my stomach gave me signals and I wanted to scream so badly, but I didn't know.

The lights dim, some flickered- but slowly. I clutched onto Stiles, crying. Death doesn't get any easier, no matter if you're 'the bad guy' or the good guy. Billy had sacrificed himself for Eleven, that's probably why it hurt more than it should. 

"Billy?" Max had whispered, walking over to her step-brother. Their relationship was difficult, but what brother and sister relationship isn't? Sure, they may be half, but that doesn't matter. They are still family. Max had leant over him, tears welling up in her eyes. "Billy, Billy, get up, please. Billy, get up, please." 

"I'm sorry," Billy croaked out, causing my heart to clench. I grip onto Stiles' even tighter. Billy lets out his last ever breath, going completely still. Billy is dead. 

"Billy," Max shakes his shoulders. "Wake up, Billy, get up. Please, Billy..." She lets out an awful sob, I've never seen Max so... Upset. "Billy!" Eleven had pulled her away, into her arms, letting Max sob into her arms as Eleven comforts her. 

I've never felt so numb in my life. Losing a person is never easy. No matter how good or bad they were. 

Not even 39 minutes later, the ambulance, fire trucks, and policemen come and we all stand outside the building. Stiles, Peter, and I stand a little off from them. They soon reunited with their families. 

"I still don't understand," I mumbled, glancing at Peter. "How are you here? Why'd God brought you - out of all people, here? Couldn't he have brought, like, Scott-" 

"Yeah, I get it, you guys' hate me," Peter grumbled. "Jeez, way to hurt a guys' ego." 

"Just... Just explain." Stiles tells him, sending him a glare. 

"I don't know," he had hissed. "One minute I was in Beacon Hills, the next minute... I'm here! Where the hell are we?"

"A small town called Hawkins," I speak, crossing my arms. "Peter, why?" 

"What do you mean 'why'? I'm just as confused as you guys' are!" Peter had exclaimed, getting angry now. 

"Right, calm down," Stiles advises him, his voice lowering. "We destroyed the monster, right? So, we should be going home any moment now." 

We all went quiet, I tried to get rid of the distractions around us and I closed my eyes, concentrating. 

"I'm still here." I opened my eyes at the sound of Peter's voice.  

I groaned. "Shut up, will you?" 

"Actually, no," Stiles disagrees and I shoot him a look. It's very rare that we ever disagree. "What's happening at home?"

Actually, that's a better plan. "You mean if people are still looking for you two?" He had chuckled. "Oh, they gave up a long time ago. They figured you two had run away together." 

"What?" I hissed. "That can't be true. Scott would never give up. That doesn't make sense, God, you're a load of bullshit then and you're a load of bullshit now! You know what I give up with? I give up with you, you piece of shit!" 

Sharply, I turned on my heel, tears reaching my eyes. Don't cry now, Stacey, not now. But I couldn't help it and I walked away from them, trying to go anywhere but here. I sniffled as I continued to walk but stilled when I saw Eleven come out from the mall, looking around for someone. 

My breath hitched and I turned to Joyce, who I spotted early, she was still hugging Will. Joyce had tears in her eyes, as she looked at Eleven, making eye contact with her. You couldn't see it, but ever so subtly, you could see Joyce shake her head. 

I walked over to Eleven who's face crumbles up with sadness, tears filling her own eyes. I wrapped my arms around her, pulling her in an embrace and she does the same for me, hugging me tightly as she sobbed. 

"Stacey, he can't... I can't-"

"Sh," I hushed her, rocking her back and forward, trying hard not to cry myself. "I know. I know."  

A/N

Holy shit it literally took me two months to write this and I have one more chapter to write, this is crazy! 

Anywaysssss let's just ignore that I haven't updated in literally forever, shall we? I swear Stacey never dies lmao. Tbh I love her too much to let her go. She's one of my first 'made up' characters I've created. 

Also, thanks I think for almost 30K?! Holy shit. Also, on the og book, The Other McCall, thank you so much for 220K views! What the heck! I love y'all so much! 

Thank you for reading this, last chapter here we come!