Andrea sat in the backseat of Nancy's car yet again for the second time in two days. Well, depending if you counted the fact it had been the only car she had been in besides Steve's BMW, oh! Speaking of that, Andrea realized she had completely forgotten about Eddie Munson.

She wondered how the man was doing with everything going on. The entire town was going to be looking for him soon and wanting his head on a stake not to mention that the jocks were now looking for him so that they could get rid of him themselves. Brilliant.

They were heading to Pennhurst Asylum, the place that most of the creeps from Hawkins and the surrounding towns, were held. They were heading off to figure out what old man Creel knew about the deaths of his family members. What he could tell them about this demon that had been around.

Would he remember anything? What would he really know? Andrea wasn't very optimistic about going to Mr. Creel. Sure, she figured they could get answers out of him but would they truly be the answers they were looking for? The answers that they needed to save Max from the demon?

"Do you think we'll really get in?" Robin asked as she raised an eyebrow as she laughed, "These clothes are ridiculous! I mean look at me - it's insane!"

Andrea let out a small snort, "You do look hilarious."

"We'll get in," Nancy held an affirmative tone, "If not we have Andrea."

"And what is Andrea going to do?" The woman questioned as she fiddled with her paper ring, twisting it around her finger.

"Your mind-stuff," Robin teased as she wiggled her fingers back at her causing a ruckus of laughter.

Andrea shook her head with an amused grin, "Yeah because that's what I do best."

"You are a woman of many talents," Robin snickered, "One being on Steve control."

Andrea let out a small snort, "What a wonderous thing."

And the ride to the Pennhurst was one full of jokes and cames. Everyone tried to ignore the darkness that they were chasing. Well, except for Nancy who found herself getting annoyed at the jokes that bounced between Andrea and Robin.

"Can you two just... stop?" Nancy found herself asking as they turned down a sideroad, "We're in a serious situation."

"I know," Andrea continued to fiddle with her ring while huffing, "Some people cope with humor."

"Well I don't and I'd appreciate if this was just done, okay?" Nancy shot as she eyed Andrea through the rearview mirror.

"Fine," Andrea rested back in her seat with an annoyed look.

Nancy stayed quiet for a moment before she found herself asking quietly, "What did they say to you the other day? It's like it's been eating up at you."

So now you want to know? Andrea let out a small huff as she shook her head. Her arms crossed across her chest. Nancy was sending Andrea so many signals, as if she wanted to be friends but then she'd get mad at Andrea the next minute for being herself. 

Her mind faded out as a memory ran through her brain.

Little Andrea fiddled with her fingers as she held a deck of cards in her hands while sitting in her room. The eight-year-old girl was practicing what the man had shown her, the man being none other than Peter Ballard. 

The man had been around little number Seven more than Papa had ever been. He was the one who taught the girl a lot about her powers and how to use them and in the rare times that Andrea was with Papa, so was the orderly.

And as the girl sat on her bed, with the very short heap of curls on her head and a hospital gown on, she fumbled with the cards that he had given her when she had been in the rainbow room earlier that day.

Her head turned as she watched the door to her room opening. A bit more light peeped through the crack of the door as the orderly slipped into the room.

"Hello, Seven,"  His tone was warm and welcoming, "I see you are playing with the cards."

Little number Seven nodded her head with a look of pure joy as she held up a few of the cards.

"Use your words, Andrea," He often used the name on her when it was just the two of them around.

"Cards!" The little girl stammered out, the two had been working on her speech, "Like we do!"

She would've never registered how dark things could turn out for the two in the coming years. For the next four years of her life as she lived within the walls of the lab with him. With the other numbers and most importantly, with Eleven.

After all, she had been the one who freed him and in doing so followed his orders in freeing little Seven from the chip that kept her powers deep down.

And little Andrea would've never thought that he would exploit her.

Andrea blinked as she registered herself back into reality. A sad look fell over her features. She had trusted Peter, she had always been close with him and he had always been there with her. Been there for her. 

But Peter had never truly cared. He just wanted someone to carry out his plans with him. He wanted someone to understand the dark values that he held during his many many years of life.

Andrea could almost hear the speech that he had given her while holding her in his arms, Eleven walking through the door horrified as she cried. 

She would never forget that day.

"It was nothing, Nancy," Her answer had been delayed by over ten minutes, it surprised Nancy that she had even answered.

Though they knew that it wasn't just nothing.

They pulled into Pennhurst Asylum not long after that conversation. The three getting ready to go for their three o'clock meeting since it was nearly two-fifty.

After all, there wasn't any time to waste with Max's life on the line.

So the girls trudged onward and into the old Asylum. The building gave Andrea the creeps. The sign looked like something out of a horror movie and the look of the building... it was clearly old. Andrea just wasn't sure how old it was.

Andrea got out of the car and now, much like Robin and Nancy, wore a pair of short heels on her feet. Wearing one of Nancy's nicer sweaters over her dress as her hair was now let loose.

"I can't breathe in this thing, and I'm itchy. I'm itching all over," Robin was clearly uncomfortable as she kept itching her leg.

"It's not all about comfort," Nancy shot as she looked over at Robin.

"Okay? We're academics. Who are evidently coming straight from Easter brunch," Robin shot as she opened her arms wide.

"Or a gender reveal?" Andrea snickered as she kept up with their paces. 

Robin then continued to mess with something under her sweater, "Also, this bra that you gave me is really pinching my boobs."

"This is why we don't take bras from girls with no boobs," Andrea pointed out to Robin. 

"Okay. Could you just let me do the talking? If that's even possible?" Nancy retorted as she moved her hands, giving Robin a firm look.

"It's not only possible, it's inevitable," Robin retorted with a small laugh as she followed after Nancy, "Because shortly, I'll be dead from strangulation."

It hadn't taken long for the three women to make it in the office of the guy that they were supposed to be meeting with. Something about his office gave Andrea the heebie-jeebies. It just screamed stuck up or no escape. 

He looked over their papers as he noted small things, "3.9 GPAs. All three of you," He looked over as he gave a nod of his head, "Impressive."

"And this is a recommendation from Professor Brantley," Nancy handed a paper over to the man with a nervous grin, Andrea trying to keep it together due to Robin's expression.

"Yeah, I know Larry. Quite well, actually," The man held a small grin as he looked at the note, his eyebrows raising over his glasses momentarily before going back down, "Eh, you know what they say. Those who can't do, teach."

The two girls let out a small laugh. Though, Robin sounded as if she were being held at gunpoint causing Andrea to cringe and Nancy to look over at her. 

"Uh, yes, yes, that's actually why we're here," Nancy looked at the man before her head was turned back at the other two girls, "I mean, we can only learn so much in a classroom."

"Mmm," The man nodded as he began to take in the girl's words.

"And I'm sympathetic to your struggle, truly," His hands were pressed together as he looked at the girls all prestigious looking, "But there is a protocol to visiting a patient like Victor. You have to put in a request and then undergo a screening process at which point the board will make a decision."

Robin began to mess and tug at the shirt, becoming visibly uncomfortable in the clothing that Nancy had provided her as everything seemed to go south seeing as this man was not about to let these girls talk to Victor Creel.

He pushed the papers back in their direction and no one really had any plan for what to do now so it was coming up from their mind. He looked over their expressions before speaking.

"I can see you are disappointed but I'm more than happy to give you a tour of our facility. Perhaps you can even speak to some patients in our low-security wing," The man offered as he tried to help them out as he pulled his glasses off.

"And we'd... we would love that," Nancy started as she looked at Robin startled, "It's just that, um... our thesis is due next month."

"And you're out of time," The man added as he stared at Nancy, "Who's fault is that?"

"Ours, absolutely," Nancy began to speak as she looked at him as she began to get really into this act, "And I do apologize-"

"Don't apologize, Ruth. Screw that," Robin looked over at Nancy causing Andrea's eyebrows to shoot up, "The fact of the matter is, we did put in a request months ago and we were denied. And then we reapplied and we were denied again. And coming here was our last-ditch effort to save our thesis."

The look on Nancy's face was one of pure discomfort and clear horror as she truly began to doubt this entire operation.

"And I really... I can't breathe in this thing," Robin looked over at Nancy.

"Well, Rose, maybe you'd like to go outside and get some air," Nancy turned sharply as she stared at Robin, "Maybe Wendy will go with you."

Andrea raised an eyebrow at Nancy's tone and Robin responded, "Maybe I should, Ruth."

"Mhm," Nancy was getting visibly pissed off.

"Because I'm starting to think this whole thing is a colossal mistake!" She rose to her feet as she looked down at Nancy, "I'm breaking out in a rash. My boobs hurt," She's really going for it... "And I'll tell you the truth, Anthony. May I call you Anthony? These aren't my clothes. I borrow them because I wanted you to take us seriously."

Andrea scratched her head as she made a face while listening to Robin. Giving a fake smile while giving the man finger guns as a last resort. Nancy was visibly breaking out as she began to breathe a bit heavier. 

"Because nobody takes girls seriously in this field! They just don't," Robin exclaimed as she looked at the man, getting emotional in character, "We don't look the part or whatever. But can I tell you a story? 1978, I was at summer camp. And my counselor Drew told me and everyone in Cabin C..."

Jesus Christ, this is an entire fucking diplomatic speech. Andrea was trying not to fall asleep as Robin took control of the situation to get them through.

"The true story of the Victor Creel Massacre, and little Petey McHew... You know Petey, right, Ruth?" Robin looked over at Nancy.

"Of course," Nancy was clearly as shocked as Andrea.

"Yeah. Little Petey McHew started sobbing right there on the spot. Full-on hyperventilating and all the other campers couldn't sleep for weeks and I couldn't either, but not 'cause I was scared. Because I was obsessed with the question, what would drive a human being to commit such unimaginable acts?" Robin put her heart into that one.

"Yeah," Andrea muttered in agreement.

"Other kids wanted to be astronauts, basketball players, rock stars. But I wanted to be you. I wanted to be you. So, forgive me if I'll now try anything in my power, including wearing this ridiculous outfit, if I might get to speak to the man that ignited my passion and learn a little more about how his twisted, but let's face it, totally fascinating mind works."

Get to the fucking point, Robin. I'm not trying to watch a movie. Andrea began to mess with her sleeves as she still waited for this woman to finish her speech.

"So, yes, we don't have the official paperwork, but don't tell me that cry-baby Petey McHew wouldn't have gotten an audience with Victor in a matter of moments if he'd asked politely, because you and I both know that he would," Robin shot as she glared at the man, "So... ten minutes with Victor. That's all I ask."

And so he agreed, the girls followed after him as he led them to where they needed to go.

Andrea followed after him, ignoring what he explained to the two girls who beamed with pride. Only stopping at the end of the stairs while the girls made some sort of conversation which caused confusion to Andrea as the doctor went up the stairs right by her.

The guard opened the door and led them through the dark hallway that was barely lit up as he spoke, "Do not startle him. Do not touch him. Do not pass him anything. Stand five feet away from the bars at all times. Is that clear?"

The girls watched as he pulled out a baton and slid it over the bars of the cage, "Yes sir."

"Do I look suicidal?" Andrea muttered as she stood behind the two other women, absolutely hating this area.

"Victor! Today's your lucky day, you got visitors," The guard called out to the man who sat at his table, "Real pretty ones."

Andrea made a face as the scratching began to hurt her ears.

"He must be in one of his moods, have fun!" The guard shrugged before walking off, leaving the girls with the man.

He let out small growls and continued to claw at the table, "Victor?" Nancy spoke while Andrea flinched, "My name is Nancy. Nancy Wheeler. And this is..."

"Robin Buckley," Robin spoke while looking at Andrea.

Andrea took a deep breath, "And I'm Seven."

Both girls looked shocked at Andrea before Nancy spoke, "Um, we have some questions."

"I don't talk to reporters, Hatch knows that," The old man grumbled out.

"We are not reporters," Nancy took a step closer, "We're here because... we believe you. And because...we need your help."

"Whatever killed your family, we think it's back," The nail scraping stopped.

The man slowly turned to look at the girls revealing his messed-up face, "He's after me," Andrea gave a small story, not exactly false, "And a girl I've almost become a parent to."

"When he attacks, they described it as a trance," Nancy began to explain after she spoke, "Like a waking nightmare. That's why we think he's coming for them next. Does any of this, anything we've told you, sound like what happened to your family?"

Victor breathed shakily.

"Victor... I know this is hard-"

"You don't know anything!" Victor exclaimed as his hand ran over his face.

"You're right, we don't know. That's why we're here."

"To learn, to understand."

"We need to know how you survived that night," Robin spoke up.

He let out a laugh, "Survived? Is that what you call this? Did I survive? No, I assure you, I am still very much in hell. I had been back from the war some fourteen years. Her great-uncle had died, leaving us a small fortune."

Andrea felt a sense of shock as the memory began to play in her own mind, making her watch the small family move.

Those damned blue eyes... it can't be...

"Enough to buy a new home, a new life... It was a magnificent home. Alice said it looked like it was from a fairytale."

"Alice, was this your daughter?"

"Mmm, yeah, but Henry my boy... he was a sensitive child and I could see he felt something was wrong. We had one month of peace in that house and then it began." 

Andrea's eyes widened as the memories played out in her head. Watching the lights flicker around Henry before little Alice finding the dead rabbit. 

"Dead animals. Mutilated, and tortured, began to appear near our home. Rabbits, squirrels, chickens, and even dogs. The police chief blamed the attacks on a wildcat. This... this was no wildcat. This was an evil... and evil neither animal nor human. This was a spawn of Satan. A demon. And it was even closer than I realized."

Andrea placed her hands on her face, not understanding how she was seeing these memories when she wasn't tapping into anything.

"My family began to have encounters. Conjured by this demon. Nightmares. Waking, living nightmares. This demon, it seemed to take pleasure in tormenting us. Even poor, innocent Alice. It wasn't long before I began to have encounters of my own."

Andrea looked horrified seeing a baby burning in the fire. It was awful.

"I suppose all evil must have a home. And though I had not a rational explanation for it, I... I could sense this demon. Always close. I became convinced it was hiding, nesting, somewhere within the shadows of our home. It had cursed our town. It had cursed our home. It had cursed us."

Andrea turned to look as a dining room appeared, music playing over the radio, but now she couldn't see the little Creel, he was blurry, "It took Virginia first... I tried to get the children out, to save them... But I was back to France, back in the war. It was... it was a memory. I had thought German shoulders were inside."

Andrea closed her eyes as she tried to stop this vision, whatever the hell it was. Wanting nothing more than it to end.

"I ordered a selling. I was wrong. This demon, it was taunting me. And I was sure it would take me just as he'd taken my Virginia... but then, I heard... another voice. At first, I believed it was an angel. Then I... I followed her only to find myself in a nightmare far worse. While I was away, the demon took my children. Henry slipped into a coma shortly after that. A week later, he died."

Andrea began to breathe heavily as she came back to reality after seeing the Creel man try to kill himself, falling into Robin with a gasp of horror. Robin and Nancy looked worried. 

"I tried... He wouldn't let me join...."