𝑪𝑯𝑨𝑷𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑻𝑯𝑰𝑹𝑻𝑬𝑬𝑵

❛ Burn in hell, motherfucker. ❜

❦

After the eventful, gut wrenching pool event, everyone took themselves off in different directions. Eleven and the boys sat on the bleachers inside the gym, Joyce and Jonathan cried together while Hopper questioned them on where Will's den was in the woods, and Nancy had slid down the wall in the hallway with tears streaming down her cheeks.

Malia, on the other hand, is sat on the very top bleacher in the very far corner and she stares emotionlessly at the far wall opposite, not even bothering to question what's happening when Joyce and Hopper run out of the school together. She bites her lip, fiddling with the necklace around her neck while trying to ignore the banging voices inside her head. The cuts on her wrists and ankles had stung more than ever before when Eleven was communicating with Will, but Malia kept that information private.

Nancy and Jonathan stand side by side at the bottom of the bleachers, staring up at Malia in worry.

"Do you think she'll be willing to do this with us?" Nancy questions, "I mean, last time she got near the demogorgon, or whatever Mike called it, it didn't end well."

Jonathan shrugs, beginning to make his way up to the ice cold girl, "I'll doubt she'll want to do it, but we need her. She's good with a gun, and an axe."

She hears the pairs footsteps first, and continues to face the wall but flicks her eyes over to the both of them in confusion. They stand side by side on the bleachers, either terrified or just extremely uncomfortable. Malia rolls her eyes, quickly realising they want something from her.

"What do you two want now?" She grumbles, letting her head drop down so her neck is pressed against her chest with a huff while she waits for an answer.

Jonathan glances back at Nancy, who just nods gently, motioning for him to be the one to break the bad news, "Help us kill the monster— demogorgon." He swallows thickly when her head snaps up in his direction, "Hold on, hold on. Look, Malia, we need you."

"Like, really need you," Nancy takes over, "You're strong enough to use the axe, and you're aim with the revolver is strangely good."

Malia stares at them in astonishment for a few moments before a slow smirk makes it's way onto her face, "Holy shit, Wheeler, just admit it already I'm better than you and you're basically in love with me."

Jonathan sighs in relief, whereas Nancy's jaw drops, "I am not in love with you, Malia. We just need you."

Licking her lips, Malia's expression drops again slightly, "Have you two forgotten what happened last time I got near that fucking thing?" She snaps, pulling up her trouser leg to reveal her scarring ankle, "I can no longer wear trainer socks because of that motherfucker."

"Malia, please." Jonathan begs, "Even if we don't kill it, we need to distract it while my mum and Hopper go into the Upside Down to find Will."

Instantly, Malia stands up, her eyes wide, "Hop is going into that hellhole?" She gasps, her hands running through her hair in stress, "Holy shit. That stupid man."

"If you don't come with us now, we won't be able to distract the demogorgon for long enough and Joyce and Hopper could be put on serious danger," Nancy explains, "Please help us, Malia."

Malia rolls her jaw, "Fuck. Fine." She pushes past them both, stepping down the bleachers while grumbling incoherent sweat words under her breath.

❦

The three teenagers made a pit stop at the police station, where Malia managed to distract Callahan and Powell by having a long winded conversation while Nancy and Jonathan crept into Hopper's office and grabbed the gear they had previously bought to kill the monster but had failed to use.

After a few minutes, they arrive at the Byer's house, and the trio immediately begin setting up every little thing that could help damage the demogorgon. Malia works on hammering down the bear trap, while the other two string more Christmas lights around the whole house.

While Nancy poured gasoline down the hallway and Jonathan hammered nails into the baseball bat, Malia practiced swinging with the axe that the boy had kindly supplied her with.

"Do you have a lighter, Malia?" Jonathan asks as he begins to set up a trip wire with a yo-yo toy.

She hums, reaching into her jeans back pocket and pulling out the lighter that her mother had gifted her for Christmas one year. Though Malia tried not to smoke anymore, she liked to have some form of defence on her at all times and if she ever felt like she really needed a cigarette she always has something to light one with.

Nancy steps into the room, "Please tell me you placed the bear trap down correctly."

Malia rolls her eyes, letting the axe hang by her side while she turns to Nancy, "Of course I did, Wheeler. I've been setting them in the woods behind my house since I was a kid. Have some faith in me."

Jonathan throws open the cutlery draw in his kitchen, pulling out sharp knives before making his way back to the girls, passing them each a knife.

"Remember—" He begins.

"Straight into Will's room," Nancy cuts him off, "and—"

"Don't step on the trap," Malia nods.

"Wait for the yo-yo to move," Nancy adds.

"Then," Jonathan motions towards Malia, who flicks open her lighter and shows the flickering flame, "Alright. You ready?"

"Ready," Nancy takes a deep breath in.

"On three," Jonathan directs, as the three teenagers hold the knifes against their palms, "One—"

But, blood is already dripping from Malia's hand, though barely any pain is being shown through her face. Jonathan stops his counting, glaring at her in annoyance.

"Really?" He snaps.

"Sorry," She hisses, staring down at her stinging palm, "I just wanted it to be over. I can't deal with the stupid counting stuff, it fucks up my anxiety even more."

Nancy shakes her head, "Three."

They both drag the knife along their palm, causing thick roof blood to immediately spill out and a few droplets fall onto the carpet. Malia sits down in a armchair, while Nancy and Jonathan sit side by side on the larger couch.

"Here, Malia," Nancy says, throwing the girl a roll of bandage, "To stop you from bleeding to death."

Malia sends her a small smile before staring to wrap the thick bandage around her palm. She clenches her jaw at the sudden pain shooting through her arm, but she doesn't make a single sound, not wanting to ruin the romantic moment happening between Nancy and Jonathan opposite her.

But, her best friend ruins it instead.

"JONATHAN?" Steve screams through the door, his knuckles knocking rapidly on the wooden door of the Byer's home, "Are you there, man? It's— it's Steve!"

Nancy's mouth falls open, and her head shoots over to Malia, who's head is thrown back while she laughs.

"Malia," Nancy spits quietly.

Quickly, Malia meets her eyes, "Hm?" Her eyebrows shoot up in realisation and she stands up, "Right. I've got it."

She steps over the mess on the floor before dragging the large front door open slightly, the chain preventing it from going further and revealing the inside of the house. Her eyes meet a bloody and bruised Steve Harrington, who's face drops at the sight of his best friend.

"Steven," She snaps, "Listen to me, for once, listen to me—"

"Hey," He breathes, "Wait, Malia, what are you doing here? I—"

She stares at him, "You need to leave."

"No, no." He tries to push the door open but she moves her hand slightly to keep it shut, "I'm— I'm not trying to start anything, okay?"

"I do not give two shits about your petty drama with Jonathan and Nancy, Steve," She hisses, rolling her eyes, "You just need to leave."

"No, no, no," He stammers out, "Listen, I messed up, okay? I messed— I messed up. I shouldn't have climbed through your window the other day just to shout at you. And I've been such a dickhead to you lately, even though you're my best friend and— and I just want to make things right. Okay? Please— please. I miss you, Mal—" His eyes fall down to her bandaged hand.

"Steve—"

"Hey, what happened to your hand? Is that blood?" He questions, grabbing her wrist and holding up her hand to reveal her bloody palm and his eyes trail down further to the deep cuts on her wrists and his face drops even further. The sadness in his expression, quickly replaced with anger, "What the fuck? Mal, what are these? What the hell happened?"

She quickly rips her worst from his grasp, "It's nothing. Nothing for you to worry about, anyway."

"What's going on? Did your Mum do this? Was it Thomas?" He rushes.

She shakes her head, "No, no. You know Thomas would never."

His eyes narrow, "Wait a sec. Did Jonathan do this to you? Is that why you're always together now?" He pushes against the door, "Malia, let me in!"

"Steve, no!" She shouts, but he still manages to shove his way past, "Fucks sake, Steve. Do you ever listen?"

He comes to a halt immediately inside, his eyes landing on Nancy and Jonathan stood opposite him with wide eyes. His body turns quickly and he looks down at the axe and baseball bat on the coffee table with a worried expression. He glances back at Malia for a split second.

"What is— what the—" Steve begins to stammer, but Jonathan is quick to step forward.

"You need to get out of here!" He demands, "I'm not asking you, I'm telling you! Get out of here!"

Steve's face begins to screw up, and he completely ignores Jonathan's words, "What is that smell? Is that— Is that gasoline?"

A gun cocks and everyone's head snaps over to Malia, who's jaw is clenched and the barrel of the revolver is aimed directly at Steve's chest.

"Steve!" She yells, "Get out now!"

"Wait, wait, wait... WHAT!" He holds his arms out in front of him, "What— what is going on? Malia? Please, tell me!"

"You have three seconds to get out of here," She speaks calmly, though her fingers are tightened around the handle of the gun.

"Malia, is this a joke?" His chest begins to pumping up and down, "Stop, Mal! Put the gun down!"

"Three," She begins to count slowly, her face completely emotionless.

He stares at her in astonishment, his arms waving around like crazy, "No, no, no!"

"Two,"

"No! NO!"

"One," She flicks her wrist and pulls the trigger quickly, the bullet skimming his ear narrowly and hitting the wall at the side of his head.

Steve let's out a shrill yell, jumping back in fear. Before Malia has chance to say another thing to him, Jonathan and Nancy have begun to shout and motion towards the flickering Christmas lights.

"It's here," Malia whispers, throwing Nancy the revolver before picking up the axe.

Steve's eyebrows furrow, "What's here? Malia? HELLO? What is here? Careful with that!" He screams, motioning towards the axe on resting on his best friend's shoulder.

The three teenagers stand in a tight triangle, with their backs to each before circling around, ignoring Steve Harrington's frantic yells.

"Where is it?" Nancy asks.

"I don't know. I don't see it." Jonathan replies.

"HELLO?" Steve waves his arms around, attempting to get their attention, "Will someone please explain to me what the hell is going—"

The large smashing noise of the ceiling crumbling causes him to immediately fall silent. The demogorgon begins to wind its slimy body through the hole in the roof, while Nancy fires shots at it, but they don't seem to make any difference. Jonathan pulls both the girls into the hallway, and Malia manages to catch Steve's wrists at the last moment, dragging him along down the hallway towards Will's bedroom.

"Jump!" Malia yells, hopping over the bear trap and he manages to make it over successfully before tumbling into the bedroom.

"Jesus! Jesus! What the hell was that? What the hell was that?" He screams frantically.

"Shut up!" The three other teenagers yell in unison, before turning around and facing the door again.

Malia drops her axe, sliding her hand into her pocket and pulling out her lighter and making a tiny flame. Nancy points the revolver towards the door and Jonathan wraps two hands tightly around the handle of the baseball bat.

"What's it doing?" Nancy asks after a few moments of silence.

Malia shrugs, "Hopefully it's fucked off to where it came from."

As soon as those words leave her lips, the lights stop flashing and everything once again falls silent. Slowly, Malia closes her lighter and picks up her axe before moving towards the door, pulling it open and creeping out into the hallway with the other three behind her.

"Malia?" Steve whispers, "Maybe Jonathan should be in front."

She glares over her shoulder at him while stepping over the bear trap, "Zip it, Steve."

Her grip on the axe handle tightens as the group enter the slightly destroyed living room. She circles around slowly, inspecting every single wall and corner of the room before her eyes stop on a hyperventilating Steve.

"This is crazy. This is crazy. This is crazy." He repeats quietly, before the volume starts to increase, "This is crazy. This is crazy! This is crazy!" He jumps over to the wall, grabbing the phone and begins to dial a number in.

Malia rushes over, laying her axe against the wall before harshly grabbing the phone from his grasp and throwing it with all her strength at the wall, smashing the device into pieces.

"What are you doing, Mal?" He yells, "Are you insane?"

She smacks the side of his head, "Use your brain, Steve! It's going to come back! So you need to leave. Right now. It will aim for you if you stay." She motions to the blood on his face, "Feel free to pop in for a chat with Jonathan any other time," She starts to shove him towards the door, "Go!"

He stares at her for a moment, his eyes running all over her face and when he decides that her mood isn't going to change, his sprints out of the Byer's house and towards his car.

Malia sighs heavily, turning around, "I hate that boy sometimes."

Once again, the lights begin to flash and flicker, causing Malia to quickly grab her axe and rush to Nancy's side.

"Where the fuck is it?" She hisses.

"I don't know."

"Come on!" Jonathan yells.

Suddenly, everything goes black and the only light source is from the moon outside. Malia continues to circle around, her eyes squinted as she tries to make out what's furniture and what's a monster.

"MALIA!" Nancy screams, pointing behind the girl.

Malia whirls around, but the demogorgon manages to jump on her before she has any chance to react. It's hands smash into her shoulder, causing her to slam into the wooden floor with a loud scream of pain and the axe slides from her grip.

Yelling, Malia squirms under the demogorgons tight grip on her shoulder and one of its hands presses down on her chest, causing her breathing to slow slightly. Slime from its mouth, begins to drip onto her face and Nancy and Jonathan continue to scream her name in terror.

Slowly, it lowers its head to just be centimetres above Malia's before it displays all of its teeth, causing her screams to begin louder and more alert. Tears roll down her cheeks and her voice begins to crack due to the volume of her shouts.

Outside Steve hears the shrill screams and his face drops when he notices who they belong to. Malia. Immediately, he's screaming her name and racing towards the Byer's house with full intent to kill whoever is make Malia scream in so much pain. He throws the door open, ripping the baseball bat from Jonathan's hands before smashing it into the back of the demogorgon. Malia continues to scream, and he attempts to ignore how much that noise affects him. He hits the monster again, this time much harder and let's out a loud yell as the nails pierce it's skin.

"Malia, move!" He yells, as the demogorgon begins to stand up.

She scurries back quickly, only stopping when she hits the wall and she moves her body around so she's able to stand up. As Steve begins to hit it repeatedly, leading it down the hallway towards the bear trap, Malia begins to pull the lighter from her pocket once more.

"Malia—" Nancy attempts to call for her as she follows after Steve, but she's ignored.

The demogorgons foot lands in the trap and Steve rushes back, nearly bumping into Malia on the way. She flicks the lighter open, her jaw setting and the hand by her side curling into her fist as she throws the flame towards the monster.

"Burn in hell, motherfucker," She hisses, staring at the raging fire for a few moments before turning on her heel and allowing Jonathan to distinguish the fire.

Malia lowers herself to the floor in the living room, curling her knees into her chest and lowering her head down to rest on top.

"Where is it?" Nancy questions, "Is it dead?"

Malia scoffs, "I highly doubt it."

Gradually the Christmas lights begin to flicker on, causing Malia to rise up again, her eyes falling the trail as the other three stand closely behind her.

"Hop," She breathes quietly, walking forward and stepping out of the house, "Holy shit."

The streetlight just outside the Byer's house turns on for a split second, and a few moments later the streetlight a couple of meters down brightens.

"Where is it going?" Nancy questions.

Malia shakes her head, "That's not the monster."