Chapter 48, The Bite
(Ep. 7: The Massacre at Hawkins Lab)

Lightning struck with the force of a million volts as Steve fought for his life.

Clinging onto his throat like a famished leech, the tail of what appeared to be a bat tightened itself with every breath he took. He tightened his hands on the creature, attempting to pry it off all while trying to ignore the agony of having lots of sharp teeth biting his abdomen.

He fought monsters before and one of them nearly threatened to rip his head off if it weren't for the help of his friends. All these times he faced any of these creatures, Steve always had backup and never once felt like he had been abandoned. But as he lay on the cold ground completely ambushed by these monsters, his hope began to vanish as he was certain that for the first time, he was alone in this.

What if the gate closed the second he was dragged in?

What if somehow they were trying to find him, but there was absolutely no entrance?

Steve knew better than to let his mind dwell on his most obscure thoughts, but feeling the bats' teeth dig into his side and feeling his breathing struggling the more the tail tightened around his throat, left him at a complete loss.

If there was one thing he was certain about was that right now, he was dying. There was no one here but him and as much as he wanted to-

"Steve!"

The familiar and beautiful voice awakened him from his dark thoughts, and the pain on his left side vanished. He looked up and found none other than the girl he loved standing over him with a paddle in her hands. Her hair was dripping wet and cascading down her shoulders in a messy, but perfect way. She panted uncontrollably and her forehead creased with complete distress, and yet, he couldn't help but admire how beautiful she was.

Gwen swung the paddle with all her strength against the bats and the only one that remained was the one clinging onto his throat. She pressed her boot on the tail while smacking the wooden paddle with all her might against it. The creature remained adamant on keeping him trapped, but it only strengthened her determination to slam the oar with even more force and at a much quicker pace.

Around her, Nancy, Robin, and Eddie were swinging their paddles against the other bats. Lightning struck again and served as a sign to send more creatures in their direction. Gwen didn't bother paying attention to her surroundings. She merely pressed her boot even harder into the tail and smashed the oar deep into the bat's skin, causing it to let out an agonized shriek that it began to loosen its grip on Steve's throat.

Eddie suddenly called out to her, "Gwen! Watch out!"

Before she could be able to anticipate the attack, the sharp claws of the bat clung onto the skin of her back. The harsh impact disrupted her balance and brought the oar to fall to the ground. She reached for her back in an attempt to remove the creature, but the pain was now expanding throughout her entire body and making it much harder.

"Gwen!" Robin stormed in her direction and held onto the bat's wings. She began pulling it off, but with every attempt, the more its claws dug deeper into Gwen's skin.

Steve couldn't take it anymore. Hearing his friends and hearing her scream gave him enough strength to pull the tail far from his throat and close enough to his mouth. He sunk his teeth into it, ignoring the gooey substance emitting from the creature, and quickly rose once the tail landed in his hands. The bat let out an agonizing shriek and attempted to fly away, but he was able to reach for its tail just in time to then slam it vigorously against the ground.

In a harsh pull, Gwen ignored the piece of skin the bat took off and focuses on holding onto its tail. The bat tried scurrying away, but with Robin's help, she regained control and not once, not twice, she slammed the bat onto the rocks continuously. The bat began to get disoriented, giving her enough time to reach for the paddle and press the base on top of its head, finally killing it once and for all.

"Come here!" Steve demanded, his hands digging deep into the bat's tail as he smashed it down. The creature shrieked in pain and writhed uncontrollably as he placed his foot below his head to pull back on its tail with an extreme force, resulting in its dismemberment. He panted uncontrollably, spitting out blood as he remained unaware of everyone staring at him.

"Steve! Oh, my God, are you okay?!" Gwen rushed in his direction, her hands softly pressing against his shoulders as she glanced down to his wounds and blood emitting from his abdomen. Afraid to hurt him even more, her fingers landed a couple centimeters away from his skin as she examined the severity of his injuries.

"Jesus Christ," Eddie panicked. "Jesus H. Christ!"

Steve glanced down to examine his wounds, "Well, they took about a pound of flesh." He then looked up at her and felt a thousand times better upon seeing her angelic face staring back at him, "But other than that, yeah, never better."

Robin pointed her flashlight to the bat and then to Steve, "Uh, do you guys think these bats have, like, rabies?"

Steve narrowed his eyes at her, "What?"

"It's just that rabies, are like, my number one greatest fear," Robin stood up from her crouched position, ignoring the confused stares sent her way. "And I think we should get you to a doctor, like, really soon because once symptoms set in, it's too late. You're already dead."

"Hey, Rob?" Gwen softly said, earning a nod from her. "You're not helping right now. Please don't mention anything about dying."

"Sorry, it's just that I ramble when I'm scared and considering we escaped death just now, I don't know, well- I'm feeling just a tad bit more jumpy than before," Robin ran through her words, her breathing becoming heavier as her hands flailed around in a skittish way.

"Robin," Nancy cut her off, giving her a comforting smile that served as a sign for Robin to turn quiet.

Before any of them could get another word in, the sound of shrieking bats were heard from a distance. The five of them turned their heads to the source, noticing a few bats heading their way at an incredibly rapid speed.

The sky flashed a deep red, creating a much more sinister ambience as the creatures landed a couple feet from them.

"Alright, there's not that many. We can take 'em. Right?" Steve suggested, but based on his tremulous voice, it was obvious how uncertain he felt of their efficiency.

The chittering increased and the lightning allowed them to get a clearer glimpse of the swarm of bats heading their way. It was clear they wouldn't be able to take on all of them without leaving unscathed. Staying here wouldn't do anyone good, so all they were certain about was that they needed to run and hide.

"You were saying?" Robin sarcastically asked.

"Go to the woods!" Gwen interlocked her hand with Steve's and began running off in the direction of the trees. The rest were quick to trail after them and continuously whip their head back and forth to check how far those creatures were. There were tons of vines all around the forest and she made sure not to step on any of them just in case it alerted Vecna of their whereabouts. "Careful with those vines!"

She wasn't sure if hiding in the woods would help in any way. Those bats were capable of anything and what's to say a couple of branches would stop them from finding them? Regardless if the stakes were low, she wasn't about to give up without making sure her loved ones were safe and sound.

__________________

Hiding under Skull Rock, the group was crammed together and listening to the bats' chittering begin to gradually disappear. They were now far in the distance, casting the green light to come out from their hiding spot.

"Oh... okay," Robin carefully stepped out as she looked up at the sky. "That was close."

"Yeah," Eddie breathed out, still reluctant to walk out. "Too close."

"At least they're gone now," Nancy pointed out, and rested her hands on her hips while sighing in relief.

Steve stumbled as he stood from his spot. He grasped onto the rock for balance, but the blurriness in his vision prevented him from acquiring a secure place. "Oh, shit."

Gwen felt her heart sink.

She hurried to his side and held him carefully, "Steve?"

"I'm fine. I'm fine," he tried assuring her, but failed once he let out a wince.

"Remember, I know when you're lying," Gwen spoke in a caring yet stern tone, as if reprimanding him for trying to convince her of the opposite. She held him upright and helped him sit down, "You're losing a lot of blood. We need to find a way to stop it."

He stubbornly shook his head, "I'm more than alright."

Gwen kneeled in front of him, like a sinner staring into her heavenly absolution. She then raised his chin to redirect his gaze to her, "You told me to not push you away, so now it's me that's not letting you do that. Shut up and let me help you."

He sighed heavily.

"I'm not asking," she told him.

Steve had no other choice than to comply. He lowered his hands from his injury, noticing her widened eyes and concerned expression, "Like El would say, it's pretty bitchin'."

Gwen reached for the bottom of her shirt and ripped a giant piece. She didn't even take notice of Robin crouched down next to her until she began speaking.

"Oh..." Robin nervously said, "Okay, so the good news is I'm pretty sure wooziness is not a symptom of rabies. But if you start having hallucinations or muscle spasms or you start feeling aggressive, like you wanna punch me, let me know."

"Robin," Steve interrupted.

"Yeah?"

"I kinda wanna punch you."

Robin lightly chuckled, "Sense of humor is still intact. That's a good sign!"

"Okay," Gwen leaned forward just as he sat up on his knees. His face scrunched up in agony that it made her dread having to inflict another round of pain by placing this fabric on him. "Are you ready?"

"Yeah. Just do it," Steve took a deep breath and watched as she came closer and pressed the fabric against his skin. The texture felt like blazing knives were pricking at him; there was a burning ardor spreading all around his body like radiation, causing him to let out a soft groan that he tried keeping as low as possible.

"I'm so sorry," Gwen apologized, wincing discreetly as she hated seeing him in this much pain. No matter how much she wanted to stop, she knew to keep going to make sure he wouldn't bleed out.

"It's okay. Don't worry," Steve leaned his head back and ran his hands through his hair, the faintest groan escaping his lips as he breathed in and out.

"Too tight?"

"No, that's good," he softly said, reassuring her that everything was okay.

Gwen didn't say anything and proceeded to tie a knot to make sure it was well secured. She could feel his eyes on her and as if a force was pulling her in, she looked up and stared at his beautiful face.

Steve's heart performed an intricate dance. He admired those majestic blue eyes of hers... so bright, so enchanting, and so mesmerizing that submerged him into a state of deep serenity. From the way her face displayed a rosy tint, to the way her mouth curved into the faintest of smiles, and to the way her freckles rested on the bridge of her nose like constellations, he couldn't help but to fall in love with her even more.

She was his home, his reason, his purpose, his everything. Gwen Henderson was the air he breathed and as long as he was with her, nothing in his life could ever go wrong. He could stare at her for an eternity and if he was granted the opportunity, he wouldn't think twice in taking it.

His voice was barely a whisper, "Thanks."

Their gaze never broke.

"Yeah, any time," Gwen's heart pounded against her chest and she swore if it could jump out, it'd be close to doing it right about now. He was the only person to ignite a burning passion, to make her shoot for the stars, and to help her see a light at the end of the tunnel. She loved him, she really loved him, and all she wanted was to be his forever.

"So, uh, this place is like Hawkins, but with monsters and nasty shit?" Eddie nervously asked from the top of one the rocks he had climbed.

"Pretty much," Gwen replied, her arm wrapping itself around Steve's waist to help him up as he placed his arm around her shoulder for balance.

Eddie began climbing down, but before he was able to get a step in, Nancy stopped him halfway, "Wait, watch out for the vines. It's all a hive mind."

Eddie remained perfectly still with his arms extended to try and remain steady, "It's all a-what?"

Steve let out a frustrated breath, "All the creepy crawlies around here. They're, like, one or something. Step on a vine, you're stepping on a bat, you're stepping on Vecna."

"Shit," Eddie muttered while carefully climbing down from the boulder.

Robin gazed around in curiosity, not exactly sure what she pictured the Upside Down to look like. In all honesty, she didn't expect it to resemble the real world and just contain monsters and creepy vines. "But everything from our world is still here, right? Except for people?"

"You pretty much nailed it," Gwen tried ignoring the terrible burning on her back. She wasn't sure how much the bat took from her, but from the way she could feel the blood running down her back and the intense ardor spreading all around, it couldn't be anything good.

"As far as we understand, yeah," Nancy added while continuing to look up at the skies to make sure those creatures weren't coming back.

"So, theoretically, we could go to the police station and steal guns and grenades and whatever we need to blow up those bat things that are guarding the gate," Robin asked way too fast that if they weren't used to her rambles, they wouldn't have understood a single word.

"I highly doubt the Hawkins PD has grenades, Robin," Steve retorted sarcastically. "But guns, yeah, sure."

"Love the positivity there," Gwen teased, and leaned her back against the boulder.

The coldness of the stone was refreshing on her injury for mere seconds, but the cooling sensation quickly turned into a fit of pain. She bit her cheek to refrain from groaning, but as expected, Steve was already hurrying in her direction.

"Turn around," he ordered, and she frowned at him. "I let you help me, so now it's my turn to help you."

Gwen reluctantly caved and turned around. She rested her palms against the boulder and shut her eyes, but suddenly began to feel his hands raising the bottom of her shirt. Her hands then tightened into fists as her body tensed.

His warm fingers ran down her skin, as if memorizing every curve and every mark. He was careful, like an artist painting a canvas and ensuring every detail was well-tended. Her blood stained his skin just like his stained hers, creating a well-tethered line holding them bound for evermore.

She was grateful for this injury.

It meant getting to feel him against her.

"Damn it," Steve said, eyes wide and a breathless gasp escaping.

(He was shocked she was still standing after the amount of flesh that had been torn off.)

"Like usual, you didn't say anything," he complained, "Why couldn't you say anything?"

"At the moment, it didn't hurt," she tried to defend herself.

(Her reasoning was actually true. Between fighting the bats and doing everything to protect him, the adrenaline numbed the pain and made her forget about a piece having been taken.)

Steve scolded himself for having removed his sweater. He was shirtless in this cold dimension without shoes and only wearing pants. If he knew getting dragged into the Upside Down would have happened, he would have reconsidered his choices.

Nancy, noticing his struggling to find anything to wrap her injury with, headed in their direction and didn't think twice about ripping a piece of her shirt.

"What's going on over there?" Eddie headed their way with Robin trailing after him. He gasped when seeing her injured back, but quickly turned around once Steve glared at him for staring at her exposed back. "Shit, umm... I'm just going to stand somewhere else."

"On the bright side," Robin gently placed her hand on top of Gwen's. "You guys have matching wounds. Well, Steve's are on his sides and yours is on your back, but either way, they're kind of matching."

"Yay for us," Gwen sarcastically cheered and pumped her free fist in the air.

"This should hold, but once we get out of here, you're getting this checked out," Steve lowered her shirt, but his fingers lingered on her body for a little longer.

"Thanks," she whispered, and gently nodded her head at him before turning around and facing the group. "Okay, so, Robin's idea sounds great. We need to get those guns quickly."

"Well," Nancy began, "We don't have to go all the way downtown for guns. I have guns in my bedroom."

That came as a shocker to Eddie.

(Mainly since he never considered Nancy as someone who would ever own weapons.)

He jumped down from one of the rocks, stepping toward her, "You, Nancy Wheeler, have guns, plural, in your bedroom?"

Robin nervously chuckled, "Full of surprises, isn't she?"

"She has a Russian Makarov and a revolver," Gwen added.

"Yeah, you both almost shot me with that one," Steve now stood alongside her as a soft smile appeared.

Oh, how much had changed since then.

From never picturing herself dating, let alone loving Steve Harrington, the pieces had come together to form a perfectly imperfect puzzle.

November of 1983 was the start of everything.

But 1984 was the turning point.

Gwen teasingly rolled her eyes at him, "You were annoying back then, so you almost deserved it."

Brown and blue eyes met.

A denim vest being thrown at Steve interrupted.

"For your modesty, dude," Eddie said.

Steve clenched his jaw, but proceeded to put on the vest.

But then, everything around them started shaking and a loud sound followed.

Robin and Nancy fell to the ground, but Eddie was able to hold them and shield them from any falling rocks. Steve was quick to grab Gwen and wrap his arms around her, making sure to protect her head as he nuzzled closer to her.

Just as quick as the shaking came, it soon subsided.

There was silence for a mere moment, but it was short lived when the sound of snarling creatures resumed. None of them made a single movement, afraid anything would alert whatever monsters were out there to head their way. They glanced up at the sky and all around the perimeter, making sure the coast was clear before even attempting to move or say anything.

"So, guns seem like a pretty good idea to me," Eddie eventually spoke.

"Yeah, me too," Robin agreed.

Still being held tightly by Steve, Gwen glanced down at his arms and realized just how tight her grip on him also was. She was hesitant to move knowing it was bound to cut this moment short, but as if her stare had given off the wrong message, Steve let go of her but still remained in place.

Hesitantly, she left his side to rejoin the rest of the group. She made sure to discreetly look his way, but found him already doing the same.

She then glanced in the opposite direction.

"So, what are we waiting for?" Eddie impatiently asked.

Steve finished putting on the vest, but something felt off. The usual silver chain that contained the ring she gave him was no longer around his neck. He was certain he had it before jumping into the lake, so where could it possibly be?

"Everything okay?" Nancy asked when noticing his sudden hyperventilation.

"My- my ring. I don't have it. Have you seen it?" Steve frantically started feeling his pockets, looking down to the ground and retracing his steps back under Skull Rock. No sign of the ring was anywhere and his chest tightened at having lost his most valuable possession.

Robin, taking notice of his best friend's distress, suddenly remembered having managed picking it up at the boat when he had removed his yellow sweater. She removed it from her neck and left Eddie's side, her hand opening up to display the beloved silver ring.

"Thank you," Steve exhaled in relief, not thinking twice about putting it on and glancing in Gwen's direction.

She was standing a little far ahead looking at the forest and he was fairly grateful she didn't witness this frantic ordeal of his. He took one last deep breath and grabbed one of the flashlights as all of them started heading in the direction of the Wheeler residence.

__________________

With the girls leading the way, Steve and Eddie walked alongside the other in the most uncomfortable silence. Given the fact that they had nothing in common, there didn't seem a plausible topic of conversation, which was a complication now that they were tethered for life with the Upside Down mess.

Steve looked at him through the corner of his eye.

Eddie did the same.

The silence could be cut with a knife, but eventually, it became too much.

"Eddie, hey, man, uh..." Steve spoke up with a clearing of his throat, "Listen, I just want to say thanks for saving my ass back there."

"Shit. You saved your own ass, man," Eddie told him with an obvious form of admiration. "I mean, that was a real Ozzy move you pulled back there."

Steve blinked, confused, "Ozzy?"

"When you took a bite out of that bat," Eddie tried to explain, but he remained just as clueless. "Ozzy Osbourne? Black Sabbath? He bit a bat's head off onstage."

It was then when Steve considered that maybe he should acquire taste like Gwen told him. Considering he didn't know what Mordor was until she explained it and now about Ozzy Osbourne, perhaps he should try to look beyond his little bubble of familiarity and expand his horizons.

"You know, it doesn't matter," Eddie eventually accepted defeat, settling his references wouldn't be understood either way. "It's very metal, what you did. That's all I'm saying."

Uncertain of what to say, Steve settled on thanking him nonetheless, "Umm, thanks."

"Henderson told me you were a badass," Eddie chose to mention Dustin since he was aware their care for the teen was something they had in common. "Insisted on the matter, in fact."

That caught his attention.

"Henderson said that?" Steve was surprised Dustin spoke about him.

Due to them drifting apart, he didn't think he was important to him anymore. They didn't speak as often, hang out like they used to, and Dustin even stopped going to him for advice. Steve hated to admit that he was starting to feel replaced, which was one of the reasons as to why he disliked Eddie.

"Oh, yeah. Shit. Kid worships you, dude. Like, you have no idea. It's kinda annoying, to be honest," Eddie admitted. "I don't even know why I care what that little shrimp thinks, but, uh, guess I got a little jealous, Steve."

Now he was shocked.

"I guess I couldn't accept the fact that Steve Harrington was actually a good dude. Rich parents, popular, chicks love him. Not a douche? No way, man. No way. That, like, flies in the face of all the laws in the universe and my own personal Munson doctrine," Eddie then leaned close to him, speaking in a low voice. "Still super jealous, by the way."

"Right," Steve chuckled.

"Which is why I would never have jumped in that lake to save your ass," Eddie admitted, staring ahead. "Not under any, uh... normal circumstances."

The sound of a branch snapping from a distance momentarily disrupted their conversation.

Steve shone his flashlight in its direction, but there was nothing suspicious. He looked ahead at the others to ensure they were alright and then proceeded to focus back on the conversation.

"Nope. Outside D&D, I am no hero," Eddie confided as he remained attentive of their surroundings. "I see danger and I just turn heel and run. Or at least that's what I've learned about myself last week."

"Give yourself a break, man," Steve tried lighting up the mood, refusing to let him feel terrible for doing what any reasonable person would do.

If he was being honest, Steve wished to have that quality since instead of running away to safety, he headed directly into danger. He knew it was foolish to think of himself as somehow being immortal, and Gwen had always pestered him about it when they were still together. Of course he knew how dangerous his actions were, but he would much rather it'd be him receiving all the hits than anyone he loved.

"See? The only reason I came in here was 'cause those ladies came in straight after you," Eddie came to a sudden halt and nodded in their direction. "Now, I was too ashamed to be the one who stayed behind."

Steve glanced their way, but he instinctively sought out Gwen.

Eddie noticed.

"But Henderson right there, she didn't waste a second. Not one second. She just dove right in," Eddie stared firmly into him, as if hoping to get a point across. "Now, I don't know what happened between you two, but if I were you, I would get her back, 'cause that was as unambiguous a sign of true love as these cynical eyes have ever seen."

Steve's eyes softened as he stared from a distance. He wanted to believe that someone as good and heavenly as her could ever love someone like him. Mistakes had been made for many years and were still being made, so it was unfathomable that she could love him. He was stuck in the past while she was working for a future. Even amidst her struggles, she was the strongest person to exist that it was an honor standing in her presence.

How could she love him after everything?

How could she after he failed her?

Oh...

How much he loved Gwen Henderson.

More than life itself.

Before any words could be exchanged, the ground began shaking as if an earthquake was taking place. Their balance was lost as they attempted to hold on to anything, eventually holding onto the nearest branches.

"Goddamn it!"

Eddie's jaw clenched, "Here we go again!"

"Gwen! Nancy!" Robin called out in a panic. "Where are you both going?!"

Steve forgot his lack of coordination and hastily bolted in her direction. He shoved through various branches and jumped over the vines as he ran faster than he ever did. His injuries hurt even worse through every sprint, but no amount of pain stopped him from finding her.

Relief was felt once he found her standing next to Nancy. Before he could complain on how she shouldn't run off like that, thunder flashed and painted the sky a sinister red color. The light provided enough illumination to give sight on what they were staring at so attentively.

The Wheeler house stood in the middle of nowhere and if Steve wasn't so worried for his girl, he would crack a joke on how this resembled all those horror movies he was forced into watching.

"Come on," Nancy began leading the way, causing the four to trail after her.

The door creaked as it opened. Tons of vines rested on the furniture, walls, floors, and the staircase handle. Dust soared through the air and fell to the corners, making the home a much more haunting residence. Through every step, the floorboards creaked and the atmosphere became ten times more colder than outside.

"Might be time to get a maid, Wheeler," Robin joked.

"Come on. I don't want to stay here longer than we have to," Nancy headed up the stairs and everyone didn't have to think twice to follow her, but before entering one of the rooms, Steve stopped shortly when hearing something strange.

Gwen sensed his absence and halted in her tracks, "What is it? Are you okay?"

"Do you hear that?"

She turned quiet and paid attention to the sounds around them. The wind and thunder could be heard from outside, but that certainly couldn't be what he was referring to. She didn't understand what he meant, but it was then after a few seconds when she began to hear it.

It was odd and unlikely, but her brother's voice could be heard.

"Holy shit. I hear Dustin!"

"You hear him too?" Steve took a breath a relief that he wasn't going crazy. "He must be here somewhere, but where exactly?"

Both of them ran down the stairs and shone their flashlights all around. There needed to be a way to communicate with him and maybe then, he could help them get out of this place.

"He must be on the normal side of Hawkins. That's why we can hear him," Gwen thought aloud and he merely stared at her like she had grown two heads.

"Wait, what?"

"We're at Nancy's house, so what if the reason we can hear his voice is because he's at this house as well? But on the normal and safe side. Do you get it?" Gwen could practically see the wheels in his brain running and it was taking everything not to smile at how adorable he looked when concentrating.

He slowly nodded, "Do you think he'll be able to hear us then? I mean, if we can, what if he hears our yells?"

"I don't-"

"Dustin! Dustin!" he yelled.

"I highly doubt that's going to work."

"I have to try," he retorted, not sparing her a glance. "I need to get you all out here, so I'm going to try everything."

Gwen didn't say anything and instead walked around him. She looked around for anything that seemed much stranger since yelling like a lunatic might not be the best plan. As she shone her flashlight at every dark corner, her mind began to wander back to November of '83 when Will went missing.

Will had found a way to communicate with Joyce through the Christmas lights, so what if they did the exact thing?

Dustin was a certified genius and he'd be able to understand... right?

"Dustin! Can you hear me?! Dustin!" Steve continued yelling. He waved his flashlight all around and scanned the ceiling for any sign that he was heard. "Hello? Hel... Hello?"

Gwen approached him with haste, "I think I know how to communicate with him."

Steve only shone his flashlight directly at her, "Hello!"

She squinted her eyes and pushed the light away, "Can you not blind me with that thing?"

"What are you doing?" Nancy asked.

"He's here. Henderson. That little shit, he's here. He's like..." Steve panted uncontrollably, his hands flailing around the room for emphasis. "He's in the walls or something. Just listen."

"Wha- I just told you where he could be. He's not in the walls," Gwen complained, and shook her head in disapproval since it seemed everything she said had entered one ear and came out the other. "I doubt he can hear us since we're literally in another dimension."

"Shh," Steve pressed his finger to her lips while his other hand pointed to the ceiling and walls around them.

It was taking everything not to swat his finger away, but even she knew it wasn't the time to start any banters since their lives were quite literally at stake. Instead, she just remained perfectly still and waited for the others to hear her brother's voice.

"Dustin! Dustin!" Steve started yelling again and left their side to resume his pacing. "Dustin! Can you hear me?!"

"I think the rabies are starting to have an effect," Eddie mumbled, and Gwen turned to him with a sharp glare, causing him to freeze in his tracks and give her a nervous smile. "Just kidding."

"He's not lying. I heard Dustin as well."

"I hear him," Robin's eyes sparkled in delight and she started maneuvering her way past the group toward the dining area. "Dustin! Dustin!"

"Dustin!" Nancy yelled out.

"All right, either this kid can't hear us or he's being a total douchebag," Steve complained.

Gwen stood under the archway with her arms crossed over her chest, "That's what I've been trying to say, but you had the nerve to shush me. It's like when Will got trapped here. He mentioned that he could hear us, but we couldn't hear him."

"He found a way," Nancy spoke up once starting to understand what Gwen was trying to say.

"What?"

"Will. He found a way to speak to Joyce through the lights," Nancy walked over to one of the lamps and tried turning it on.

"The switch. Try the switch," Steve suggested while pointing his flashlight and hand at the source.

"It's not working."

Gwen waved her flashlight all around, scanning every corner again just in case she missed something. The light then fell upon a chandelier and maybe she was going crazy, but she swore having seen glittering sparkles in it.

Another light hit it and the shimmering particles shone again, "Guys, you seeing this?"

As if some kind of hypnotic trance had been cast, Gwen began walking toward the chandelier. Her feet appeared to be gliding against the flooring as all her mind seemed to think about was how bewitching this was.

Nancy was the first to place her hand inside, causing the particles to turn a vibrant red. The glitter moved all around with her movements, resulting in the others to fully partake in this odd yet entrancing sight.

"Whoa," Eddie said, his gaze just as equally amazed.

Gwen softly smiled. She had never felt this strange sensation and even if they were in the Upside Down, this small moment was incredibly hypnotizing. Even the shimmer felt glorious on the skin. "It feels nice."

The chandelier glowed like the moon and the particles resembled the stars, as if the night sky had become trapped in this decorative light.

"It tickles," Steve commented.

"It kinda feels good," Robin added.

Nancy then lowered her hand from the source, "Does anyone know Morse Code?"

"No," Steve, Robin, and Gwen said in unison.

"Wait, does SOS count?" Eddie asked, causing everyone to turn to him. "Is that... is that good?"

__________________

The Lite Brite shone over Nancy's bed as the group remained kneeled in front.

"Okay, you guys seeing this?" Dustin asked amidst the silence.

Nancy moved her hand over the lights, making them much more vibrant.

"We're not moving it, but we're gonna unplug it. Stand by!"

The room turned dark once again.

And then bright.

"Okay, try it now!"

"Okay, um..." Nancy hummed in thought for a moment before writing a simple 'hi.'

Dustin's triumphant laughter could be heard, "Hi! That worked!"

Sighs of relief were exchanged as the group turned to each other with wide smiles.

Gwen instinctively placed her arms around Steve to celebrate the possibility of getting out of here. She was careful with her touch, afraid of hurting him and making his injuries much worse. She then leaned back, but was now entranced by his mere presence. 

Brown and blue eyes met.

Steve reached for her hand and smiled.

And she held onto it as if clutching onto her lifeline.

"Yes! Yes! Hi!" Eddie exclaimed.

Nancy proceeded to write the word, 'Stuck.'

The group nodded at each other and agreed at the accurate term.

"Uh, you can't get back through Watergate?" Dustin asked, causing them to shake their heads with the exception of a confused Steve.

He narrowed his eyes, "What the hell's Watergate?"

"Cause it's in water and it's a gate," Robin thought aloud, staring ahead in contemplation.

"Oh," Steve merely said.

Eddie hummed in thought for a moment, "That's cute."

"Tell him those bats are guarding the gate," Gwen sighed heavily and carefully straightened her postures. She could still feel the sharp bites and claws on her body, which only made her worry about how much more intense the pain was for Steve.

Nancy nodded and wrote, 'Guarded.'

Dustin could be heard muttering something incomprehensible. He then said, "Okay. Uh, Watergate's guarded."

Steve nearly jumped in delight that this form of communicating was working. He smiled widely and leaned his head back, "Perfect. Yes, yes, yes!"

"We think we have a theory that can help with that!"

"God, I love my little genius," Gwen smiled proudly at her brother and settled that once they get out of the Upside Down, she would never complain about him again.

"We think Watergate isn't the only gate. That there's a gate at every murder site!"

"Does anybody understand what he's talking about?" Nancy asked.

Gwen stared ahead in thought as she contemplated everything.

Patrick died at Lover Lake's and a small gate was created. Fred died in the middle of the road and Chrissy at Eddie's trailer. If Dustin's theory was right, then that meant there were three gates open right now.

Maybe that was plausible.

Nancy then drew a question mark.

"Okay, seriously? How many times do I have to be right on the money before you trust me?"

"Jesus Christ," Steve complained and looked up. "This kid's gotta get his ego in check."

Eddie leaned forward, narrowing his eyes slightly, "It's his tone, right?"

Gwen rolled her eyes and ran a hand through her hair. She scooted over in front of the light and proceeded to draw an angry face and a middle finger. This was how they used to taunt each other when they were younger, so she was certain he would definitely understand.

"Oh, screw you, Gwen! I'm getting you back for this!"

Gwen smirked in satisfaction and leaned away. She then turned to Eddie and asked, "How far is your trailer?"

"Seven miles," Eddie said. "Why?"

"Dustin said there's a gate at every murder site, and well... you know," she trailed off, not wanting to mention Chrissy knowing it was a sensitive topic for him.

Eddie's expression dropped as he faintly nodded, "Oh, right."

"Nancy?" Robin suddenly asked. "I know your house here is, like, weirdly, creepily frozen in time and shit-"

Steve and Gwen perked up at the same time, "Wait, what?"

"We're stuck on November 6, 1983," Nancy began to fill them on the most recent discoveries, "The day Will went missing."

She blinked, startled.

Gwen constantly reminisced about 1983, more specifically before they were thrown into this mess. They were simpler times and no worries about the supernatural, except for stressing about exams and saving up to leave this town. She remembered how she and Jonathan would hang out after school and many times were forced to babysit the kids.

Those were great times, but now that she looked back at it, she wouldn't return.

1983 was a year when she still hated Steve and returning to that time meant everything they went through would disappear.

And she couldn't imagine returning to a time where she didn't love him.

Steve was thinking the same thing.

He used to be the king of Hawkins High and had immense popularity. Everyone wanted to be friends with him and every girl wanted to date him. He truly had it all... or at least he thought he did.

1983 had been the year he was introduced to the Upside Down and the year he connected with Gwen. He wouldn't have it any other way since he couldn't fathom returning to a timeline without her in his life.

"Didn't you always have bikes regardless if time was frozen?" Robin asked.

At her question, everyone rushed out of the bedroom down to the garage where all the bikes were stored.

Gwen stood back, unsure of how to tell them that she never learned how to ride a bike. With having to take care of Dustin and their mom, she never had time that eventually, she got older and thought it'd be ridiculous to learn at a grown age. Besides, she had her car, so she never thought she'd ever need a bike.

At least until now.

"What are you doing? Come on," Steve handed her a navy bike, but immediately noticed her reluctance.

She held the handles carefully, as if afraid one wrong move would cause it to fall, "Umm, this is embarrassing to admit, but I..."

"You what?" Nancy asked.

Gwen could feel her face turning bright red, "I never learned how to ride a bike."

Silence.

Everyone stared at her with widened eyes, shocked she never learned something as simple as bike riding.

She looked up at them, noticing how hard they were trying not to laugh, "Just go ahead."

A burst of laughter reverberated throughout the garage. They shook their heads in disbelief and laughed even harder through every second.

"What do you mean you never learned?" Robin asked through choked up laughs.

"I find it hard to believe you drive like a maniac, but can't ride a simple bike," Nancy commented as she tried covering her mouth to shield her laughter.

Eddie was the next one to tease her, "You, the girl that Dustin says is such a badass, doesn't know how to ride these two wheels? Come on, female Henderson! Don't tell me that little butthead is wrong."

Gwen shot him a look that made him stagger back, "I can beat your ass within the blink of an eye, so watch it."

Steve was trying his hardest to stop laughing, but seeing her adorable pouty face was unable to make him stop. He couldn't believe how after fighting a demogorgon, shooting a gun, fighting demodogs with a simple bat, enduring a flayed, and this curse, she appeared to be much more unnerved at riding a bike.

She crossed her arms over her chest, "Stop laughing at me."

"I'm- I'm sorry," Steve approached her with his hands raised in surrender. "When we get out of here, teaching you how to ride a bike is first on my list, okay?"

Gwen just stared at him with a deadpan look, but the idea of having him teach her was extremely appealing. "Fine. It's a date."

Date?

Steve nearly considered he was going crazy. He never expected to hear that word escape from her lips again, but if anything, this was a blessing indeed. She mentioned wanting to be friends at the Creel House, but no one call hanging out with a friend a 'date'.

This was more.

And that settled everything into place.

"Yeah, it's a- it's a date," Steve took his spot on the bike and nearly withered once she hopped on. Her hands were placed on his shoulders and her warmth radiated such comfort, as if a campfire had been ignited from within.

And oh, those electric sparks!

A couple feet from them, Robin waited until Gwen wasn't looking to send a wink to him. If there was anyone that was terribly affected by their breakup, it was her. Her two favorite people separated and quite frankly, she felt as if she had been a child of divorce. She didn't understand how two people who clearly loved each other could have broken up, so for the past months, she had been praying for some kind of miracle that would bring them together.

It seemed this entire situation did.

And a part of her was grateful for bringing her favorite people closer.

Nancy opened the garage door, "Alright, get ready."

As the group pedaled toward the trailer park, the thunder was the only sound heard. There were no sign of the demo bats, almost as if they had disappeared or were hiding somewhere. Either way, the silence was unnerving, as if it were the calm before the storm.

Gwen tensed at the red sky, her grip tightening around Steve. She held her breath and stared ahead as they rode past the Creel House, but a sudden tightness began to gather in her chest. 

The clock chiming was heard. 

(That could only mean Vecna knew they were here.)

"Steve," she whispered, "I hear it."

He glanced up at her, "What?"

"I hear the clock," she told him again, her voice breaking in the middle.

That sentence was more than enough for him to start pedaling much faster.

Gwen shut her eyes as she tried focusing on anything but the sound.

But it became louder.

Much louder.

"We're almost there!" Steve assured her as he made a sharp turn into another street.

Another deep breath taken.

The clock continued.

The bike's tires could be heard screeching and it wasn't until feeling a sharp halt when she realized they finally made it to the trailer park. She could still hear the clock, but it was becoming fainter, as if the distance was preventing it from reaching her.

But then, she felt a drop of blood drip from her nose.

Steve's eyes widened, "Gwen-"

"It's stopping," she assured him and wiped the blood on her sleeve. "I think- I think we're good."

"That's gotta be a Guinness World Record," Robin tried lighting up the mood and dropped the bike. "Most miles traveled inter-dimensionally."

Steve didn't waste anymore time and burst through the door.

The trailer had become covered by a sinister red color. A large opening stood in the ceiling and emitted dust particles to fall upon them like flakes of snow. Vines covered every perimeter and slowly moved, as if attempting to appear intimidating.

Eddie stared at the ceiling and slowly approached the center, "This is where Chrissy died. Like, right where she died."

Robin narrowed her eyes, startled, "I think there's something there."

A silhouette moved through the opening and began disrupting its once pristine state. More dust fell upon them and the once red color began to gradually disappear. What appeared to be a wooden stick was poking through, but the silence remained steadily.

"Stay here," Steve whispered to Gwen, knowing it'd be senseless either way. He carefully walked ahead, but ensured she stayed just a couple feet back by holding his hand back.

(A failed action since no one listened and trailed after him.)

Above them, Eddie's trailer was standing, but it wasn't in a rundown condition. It was bright, clean, and safe. Most importantly, Max, Lucas, Daphne, Erica, Natalia, and Dustin were present and waving at them as if greeting an old friend.

Gwen couldn't believe what she was seeing, "Holy shit."

"No way!"

Dustin smiled widely and waved, "Hi there!"

"Hi," the group said in unison, still in shock.

"Holy shit, this is trippy."

"Bada-bada-boom!" Dustin loudly cheered and pumped his fists triumphantly in the air.

"Never thought I'd say this, but it's good to see you, Munson," Natalia meekly smiled and sent a small wave, to which Eddie returned with a delighted smile.

"Alright, so how do we climb up?" Robin asked the most important question, and proceeded to look around the trailer for anything that could help.

Gwen hummed in thought for a moment, "Building a rope could work, but we need something to soften the landing."

"On it, sis!" Dustin ran out of frame, causing the rest to scramble all around the trailer for the needed materials.

Max and Lucas then arrived with a mattress and gently set it down under the gate.

But there was something odd.

Suspicious-looking stains covered the bedsheets. They were big and scattered in different places, which was definitely an uncomfortable reveal for Eddie, who seemed to have become speechless amidst the stares sent his way.

"Those stains are, uh..." Eddie swallowed hard, but still managed to sound calm, "I dunno what those stains are."

"Hmm," Robin glared at him sideways through a small frown.

"Not quite sure how these physics work, but uh, here goes nothing," Dustin stood under the gate and proceeded to toss a rope made out of tied sheets. "All right, pull on it! See if it holds!"

Robin turned to Steve, who gestured at her to make the first move. She took a deep breath and pulled on it hard, the rope remaining perfectly steady. "Guess I'm the guinea pig," she then said, and began climbing up.

Eddie glanced at the rest of the group as if expecting them to go next. When none of them did, he lazily shrugged and stepped forward, "All right, I guess I'll go."

Once he made it safely to the other side, Nancy continued and took a deep breath, "Remind me to thank your brother."

"Will do," Gwen assured her.

And just like that, Nancy made it onto the mattress, leaving just her and Steve.

Steve's expression was soft as he gazed at her, "See you on the other side."

Gwen took a deep breath as she reached for the rope, "On the other side."

Steve glanced up at the gate and waited for her to start climbing, but she never did. He wondered why she hadn't made a move, so he turned to her, but it was then when his world came crumbling down when seeing her eyes completely white.

"Gwen!" Steve called out, and shook her shoulders to awaken her. "Hey! Hey! Stay with me!"

With everything he did, she still wasn't responding.

"Gwen, please wake up! Come back to me! Gwen!"