chapter ten:
❛ the beginning of the end ❜

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The gas station's fluorescent lights buzzed like angry bees, casting harsh shadows that seemed to reflect the turmoil swirling inside Scarlett. She stepped out of the store, her heart still racing from the panic attack that had gripped her just moments ago. The world felt surreal, and the realization that her cousin planned to kill her sister crashed over her like a wave, leaving her breathless. Scarlett wiped at her eyes, the remnants of tears making her cheeks feel raw and exposed.

Outside, the group stood in a tight huddle, their expressions a mixture of concern and determination. Mike, Will, El, and Jonathan formed a makeshift support system, with Jonathan on the phone, his brow furrowed as he navigated the chaos of trying to get free tickets back to Hawkins. Scarlett's gaze drifted over them, her heart sinking further as she imagined the dangers that awaited them all.

As she approached, Harvey stepped forward, a worried frown etched on his face. "You okay, Scar?" he asked softly, his voice a comforting balm against the sharp edges of her anxiety.

"No, Harv. I'm not okay." Her voice trembled with the weight of her admission. "My cousin is gonna kill my sister." The words tumbled out in a rush, panic clawing at her throat.

Harvey's expression turned serious. "We'll find a way, Scarlett. Jonathan is trying his best," he reassured her, though the uncertainty in his voice suggested he wasn't entirely convinced.

Scarlett's gaze drifted to a nearby billboard, a tacky advertisement for a local diner. In that moment, a flicker of an idea ignited in her mind, cutting through the fog of despair. She thought back to her harrowing experience of diving into Billy's mind to confront the source of the Mind Flayer. If she could do that, perhaps she could save Max too.

"I have an idea," she said, a spark of determination igniting within her. She grabbed Harvey's hand and dragged him over to the group, her heart pounding with newfound resolve.

"What do you mean?" El asked, her brow furrowed in curiosity.

Scarlett took a deep breath, feeling the gravity of the situation settle over her like a heavy cloak. "The source," she clarified, looking at Eleven, who seemed to understand where this was going.

"The source?" Harvey echoed, confusion still lingering in his eyes.

"Last year, Scarlett went into her brother's mind to find the source," Mike explained, his tone shifting from confusion to realization.

Harvey's eyes widened as he connected the dots. "Oh... wait, your brother was killed by your cousin too," he noted, the weight of the revelation hitting him hard.

"Exactly," Scarlett confirmed, her voice steady but laced with emotion. "My cousin is after my family. First it was me-he used me when I was eight, then he killed my brother. And now he's coming for Max, my sister." The gravity of her words hung in the air, a chilling reminder of the stakes they were all facing.

"Wow, you and Eleven really made him mad," Harvey murmured, shaking his head in disbelief.

"I don't know about me," Scarlett replied quietly, her gaze dropping to the ground, "but he definitely wants Eleven dead."

"Wait, so how would you go to the source?" Argyle asked, his laid-back demeanor contrasting sharply with the urgency of the situation.

Scarlett led them over to the van, a sense of purpose driving her movements. She opened the back door and pulled out her notebook, flipping it open to a blank page. With quick strokes, she began to draw stick figures, illustrating her plan as she spoke. "This is Max," she said, pointing to the first stick figure. "When Henry attacks, he'll be in her mind."

She quickly drew another stick figure representing Henry. "But I can do that too-El can as well-but I'll be the one to do it since Max is my sister. I went into Billy's mind, and Eleven has been into her mom's mind, so either of us can get into Max's. She can carry me to Henry. I can piggyback." She illustrated herself next to Henry, a fierce determination shining in her eyes. "I can protect her from him. I will fight him from here."

"Mind fight. Righteous," Argyle nodded, clearly impressed with the concept.

"That's some insane shit," Harvey muttered, trying to wrap his mind around the plan.

"Wait, so you actually think this can work?" Mike asked, skepticism evident in his voice.

El shot him a look, her expression fierce and unwavering. "Oh, she can do it. I believe in her. You should see how powerful she is now. But a bathtub would help. It'll calm her senses," she explained, her faith in Scarlett shining through.

"Yeah. Gotta be clean to enter the mind," Scarlett added, her tone serious as she considered the logistics of their plan.

Argyle looked at them, puzzled. "What? No. It's a sensory deprivation tank. It helps her calm down and focus on her powers."

"Wait, we... we just passed a motel," Will suggested, trying to connect the dots in their chaotic plan.

"Yeah, but they won't have enough salt," Harvey pointed out, scratching his head as he tried to think through the details.

"Well, how much salt are we talking here, my dudes?" Argyle asked, hands on his hips, ready to tackle the challenge.

"Well, it depends on the size of the tub, but a lot," Jonathan clarified, his brow furrowing in thought.

"Does 600 pounds suffice?" Argyle asked, looking directly at Scarlett, a glint of mischief in his eyes.

"Yeah?" Scarlett replied, her heart racing with excitement and confusion. Could they actually pull this off?

"You know a place that has 600 pounds of salt?" Mike asked incredulously, trying to fathom the idea.

Argyle turned to face Scarlett again, sizing her up as if making a critical assessment. "Let's see..." He trailed off, pretending to measure her with his hands. "Yep. Mm-hmm. Yep, it'll work," he grinned, clearly pleased with his own proposal.

Mike and Will exchanged glances, Will shaking his head in disbelief. "What will work?" Scarlett asked, her brow furrowed in confusion.

"I know a magical place that has all you need, my brave, little superpowered friend. That mind fight is on," Argyle declared, hopping into the driver's seat with an air of confidence, ready to lead the charge.

Scarlett leaned closer to Mike, her voice barely above a whisper. "Should I be worried?"

He shrugged, a smile creeping onto his face despite the gravity of the situation. "Probably," he replied lightly, but the determined look in Scarlett's eyes gave him hope. They were going to fight back, and this time, they were going to do everything in their power to protect Max.

As Argyle pulled into the Surfer Boy Pizza parking lot, the neon lights flickered brightly against the evening sky, casting colorful reflections on the asphalt. Scarlett climbed out of the van, feeling the weight of anxiety settle heavily on her shoulders. She stood between El and Mike, staring at the vibrant facade of the pizzeria, feeling an odd juxtaposition between its cheerful atmosphere and the dire situation they faced.

"You gotta be shitting me," Mike muttered, incredulity washing over his features as he took in the scene. The surfboards adorning the walls and the sound of laughter from inside felt almost mocking in the wake of their urgent mission.

"Trust me on this one, my dudes," Argyle replied confidently, hands on his hips. His carefree demeanor seemed unshakeable as he strode toward the entrance, oblivious to Mike's skepticism.

Scarlett exchanged a worried glance with Mike, her heart racing. "I can't believe all this is happening," Harvey sighed, shaking his head as he followed them inside. Will remained close behind, his brow furrowed with a mixture of concern and determination.

"There's a lot that I still need to tell you, Harv," Will said quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. Harvey's confusion deepened, but they pressed on, stepping into the brightly lit pizzeria, where the scent of melted cheese and warm dough enveloped them.

As they approached the counter, Argyle turned to the cashier, a lanky young man wearing a tie-dye shirt and a beaded necklace. "Surf's up, my dude!"

The cashier looked up, a grin spreading across his face as he took in Argyle's vibrant attire. "Uh, woah. Nice shirt, my dude," he chuckled, clearly amused.

"Thanks, my dude," Argyle replied with a nod, his tone casual and friendly. But then he shifted gears, glancing over his shoulder at Scarlett, who was trying to project confidence even as anxiety bubbled beneath the surface. "Uh, listen, I would love to feed a fellow surfer boy, but the kitchen closed, like, five minutes ago, so no more pies tonight, man."

Argyle's chuckle fell flat as the reality of their situation settled in. Scarlett stepped forward, feeling the weight of the moment pressing down on her. She shoved Argyle aside playfully, asserting herself. "My dude," she mocked, channeling Argyle's earlier tone, "we're not asking you to help for free."

She reached into Argyle's shirt pocket, retrieving a neatly rolled joint of weed. The cashier's eyes widened, uncertainty flickering across his face. "Wait, what?"

Scarlett leaned closer, lowering her voice, her expression turning serious. "You ever partake in... purple palm tree delight?" The urgency in her tone hung in the air, mingling with the lingering scent of pizza.

The cashier blinked, his skepticism slowly melting away. "Uh... what? You can't be serious."

Scarlett's smirk widened as she sensed the tide turning in her favor. "It'll make all your troubles float away. And in return, you'll help me save my sister from my dookiehead of a cousin." Her words hung heavy with meaning, an unspoken plea woven into her casual delivery.

The cashier glanced back at the closed kitchen, weighing his options. After a moment of contemplation, he took the weed, an eager grin spreading across his face. "Alright, my dude. You got yourself a deal."

Scarlett felt a wave of relief wash over her. "Thank you!" she exclaimed, her heart racing as they prepared to set up the tub. The cashier led them through a door at the back of the restaurant, where the air grew warmer and the faint sounds of sizzling grills mixed with laughter from the dining area.

Scarlett sat across from Mike, watching as he meticulously put cardboard over the lenses of his sunglasses. "Okay, almost done..." he muttered, concentrating hard as he adjusted the makeshift blackout goggles. "Okay, so, hopefully, this blocks out any peripheral light, right?" He slipped the glasses on, an eager look on his face.

"It's totally dark, which means it works. But I have one more important question: do I look cool?" Mike tilted his head to the side, a playful grin stretching across his face.

Scarlett couldn't help but laugh, the sound bubbling up from her chest. "Totally," she said, her smile wide.

"Are you giggling? You're giggling because I look awesome. I can't see it, but I know you're smiling because I look so good, right?" His confidence was infectious, and Scarlett's laughter filled the room.

She took his hands, squeezing them lightly. "Mike," she said slowly, her tone shifting as she looked into his eyes. "I... I missed you a lot. I thought I was gonna be stuck there with Brennar's manipulations. I am so sorry about the fight we had before I got arrested."

Mike's expression softened, and a smile crept onto his face. "Scarlett, you had every right to feel the way you did. I'm sorry and I lo-"

Before he could finish, Argyle burst into the room, placing a steaming plate of pizza topped with pineapple in front of them. "Surf's up, Romeo!" he announced, his exuberance cutting through the serious moment.

Mike scrunched his face up in disgust as he stared at the pizza. "Oh, uh, too much flavor awesomeness can't overpower your battery, can it?" Argyle knelt down beside them, his playful tone making Mike roll his eyes.

"Nope," Scarlett replied, taking a confident bite of the pizza. She savored the burst of sweet and savory flavors on her tongue.

"Dude, this is pineapple," Mike retorted, eyeing the pizza as if it had personally offended him.

"Try it before you deny it," Argyle insisted, leaning forward with a conspiratorial grin.

"Oh my God, Mike. You have to try this. It tastes so good!" Scarlett hummed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Mike gave her a wild look, disbelief etched across his features. "It's good? Are you crazy!?" he exclaimed, still refusing to budge.

Scarlett smirked, feigning innocence. "I'm definitely crazy. I mean, I hit Angela with a skate and electrocuted her," she chuckled, the memory bringing a mischievous gleam to her eyes.

"That's insane! Blasphemous. Putting fruit on pizza?" Mike shook his head, horrified yet intrigued.

"Try it," Scarlett urged, picking up another slice and playfully bringing it toward Mike's face. "Come on, just one bite!"

"No! Scarlett, get that thing away!" Mike shrieked, leaning back dramatically in his seat, his hands flailing as if he could ward off the offending slice.

Argyle seized the moment, putting Mike in a headlock with a laugh. "Come on, my dude!" he said, using the playful grip to keep Mike from escaping.

"Let me go! I'm not trying that!" Mike protested, though a grin tugged at the corners of his mouth despite his faux outrage.

Scarlett giggled at the playful chaos unfolding, feeling a warmth spread in her chest. Moments like this, filled with laughter and camaraderie, made all the danger they faced seem a little more bearable. With friends like these, she felt ready to tackle whatever came next. "Just one bite, Freckles! For old times' sake!" she teased, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

"Fine! But only if you promise not to electroshock me again!" Mike relented, a mock-serious expression on his face as he begrudgingly leaned toward the slice.

"Deal!" Scarlett declared, her laughter echoing around them, blending with the warmth of the pizza and the lightheartedness of the moment. In that instant, surrounded by friends and the comforting chaos of their lives, everything felt right again.

The dim light of the room flickered above, casting a soft glow as Will focused intently on the tub before him. He stirred the coarse salt into the water, watching it dissolve slowly, the grains swirling around like tiny galaxies. The air was filled with a briny scent, a stark contrast to the lingering traces of pine from the wooden surroundings. Harvey leaned against the wall, arms crossed, observing Will with an intensity that made his pulse quicken.

"Hey, Will?" Harvey's voice broke the quiet, laced with a hint of hesitation that piqued Will's curiosity.

"Yeah?" Will glanced up, his brow furrowing as he noticed the slight tremor in Harvey's hands.

"I, uh... I need to tell you something." Harvey took a deep breath, the tension in the air palpable as he shifted his weight from one foot to the other. "I like you, Will. Like, really like you."

The confession hung there, heavy and full of meaning. Will's heart raced, but rather than excitement, confusion crashed over him like a wave. "You mean as a friend?" he blurted out, his tone awkward and uncertain, completely missing the point of what Harvey was trying to convey.

Harvey's expression fell, the flicker of hope extinguished as hurt washed over his features. "No, not just as a friend. I thought you felt the same way," he replied, his voice dropping as if the air had been sucked out of the room.

"I... I don't know what to say," Will stammered, his mind swirling. The weight of the moment pressed on him, leaving him scrambling for the right response. "I like you, but-"

"Maybe you should think about it more before you say anything," Harvey interrupted, his voice strained and edged with disappointment. "I can't believe I even said anything. I thought we had something."

With that, Harvey turned sharply, striding away from the tub, leaving Will standing there, rooted to the spot, feeling like a weight had settled in his stomach. "Harvey, wait!" Will called after him, his voice tinged with urgency, but Harvey was already through the door, leaving him in a haze of confusion and regret.

Will sighed, running a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. He replayed the conversation in his mind, wishing he could take back the words that had come out wrong. Maybe he did like Harvey more than just a friend. Maybe he needed to figure this out, but for now, he decided to give Harvey some space.

As Harvey stepped outside, the night air hit him like a splash of cold water, sharp and invigorating. He walked aimlessly, trying to shake off the sting of rejection, and spotted Mike nearby, leaning against the wall with a slice of pizza in hand.

"Hey," Harvey said, attempting to sound casual, but the flatness in his voice betrayed his mood.

"Hey, what's up?" Mike replied, his mouth full of Hawaiian pizza. He grimaced as he swallowed, a look of pure disdain crossing his face. "Ugh, this is disgusting."

"Really?" Harvey raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "What's wrong with it?"

"It's pineapple on pizza! Who even thought that was a good idea?" Mike exclaimed, holding the slice up like it was a crime against humanity.

"You're just saying that because you don't want to admit it's good," Harvey shot back, crossing his arms defensively, a hint of a smile tugging at his lips despite himself.

"Good? No way! It's actually disgusting. I mean, fruit on pizza? What's next, putting strawberries on a cheeseburger?" Mike laughed, shaking his head as he tossed the pizza slice back onto the box as if it were on fire.

"Come on! You haven't even tried it!" Harvey insisted, feeling a surge of playful defiance. "You can't knock it until you've tasted it!"

"Dude, I stand by my principles. Pineapple has no place on pizza. It's an abomination," Mike said, pointing at the pizza as if it were an unspeakable horror.

Harvey couldn't help but chuckle at Mike's over-the-top reaction. "You're a lost cause, you know that?" he said, shaking his head.

"Hey, don't blame me for having good taste. At least I'm not trying to ruin pizza for everyone," Mike retorted, wiping his mouth dramatically.

As they continued to banter, the earlier weight of the conversation with Will slowly faded into the background. Harvey appreciated the distraction, the laughter lightening his mood, the camaraderie between them. It was good to have Mike's company, even if it didn't solve the confusion he felt about Will.

"So, you seriously think this is bad?" Mike asked, gesturing back at the pizza box.

"Absolutely," Harvey affirmed, crossing his arms with a smirk. "But if you're going to hate it, at least try it first. You might surprise yourself."

"Fine, but if I throw up, it's on you," Mike challenged, picking up another slice,