Not Just Another Number

What If?

"She's right." I speak up before Murry can keep arguing with her. I move the paper closer to me and point at one of the bigger squares. "You see this here, this is a storage room, it's easy access surprisingly and a good way in. You want a good way in with little altercations, right?"

Murry sighs and crosses his arms in defeat. "Shorty's right." I bristle at the nickname, but let Dustin take over. He nods and takes the paper, taking over completely.

"There's a hatch in here that feeds into their underground ventilation system. That will lead you to the base of the weapon. It's a bit of a maze down there, but between me and Erica, we can show you the way." He smiles wide, knowing what he's doing.

Dad looks at him with an unimpressed look. "You can show us the way? Yeah no." He says, shaking his head. I groan and roll my eyes.

"They're not going to go down there, even I won't allow that. They can use walkie talkies to navigate you. Easy peasy."

Dustin shakes his head, and even Erica does. "The signal won't reach." Erica stresses.

"Not with those. You need something with a high frequency band to relay with the Russian's radio tower. But for that to work, you need someone who has both seen their comms room and has access to a super-powered handcrafted radio tower, one preferably already situated at the highest point in Hawkins." He smirks up at Dad, crossing his arms as well.

"Oh wait, that's me. You want us to navigate, you got us, but we need a head start. and a car." Dad sighs and pulls out keys and hands them to me. "You should get going, and Sarah," He calls, making me look up at him.

I hum. "Don't even think about it kid." I quirk an eyebrow up, confused. "Don't think about what?"

"You know what I mean, sacrificing yourself. You have a bad habit of doing that." I blush at the callout. Johnathan perks up, nodding along. "Yeah, stick to the plan." I stick my tongue out at the two.

I laugh lightly at their callouts though. I turn around, ready to leave, but everybody suddenly gasps. I look around, confused. "What?"

"You're nose, it's bleeding again." Max says, pointing at my face. I wipe at my upper lip and find dark blood glistening on my fingertips. I feel my body run cold in fear and anxiety, but I try to brush it off.

"It's probably because I used my powers a whole bunch earlier, I'm fine really."

Steve walks up to me, putting his hand on my shoulder. "Sarah, you sure?"

"Of course, trust me I'm f-" Suddenly, the mall falls away. Everyone disappears. Steve disappears.

I'm left alone in the void again. Instead of fear, anger takes over my body. "Great, just great! And in the middle of telling them I'm fine too! You've got some sick kind of humor!" I yell to no one.

I run my hand through my hair, huffing slightly from the yelling. Why is this happening again? What else do I need to see?

"Byers?"

I quickly turn around, recognizing the voice immediately. "Billy?"

He stands before me, sweating profusely and with bloodshot eyes. He tries to take a step towards me, but I take one step back, lighting my hands on fire. "Stay right there!"

"Really Byers, we don't have time for this."

"How do I know if you're the real Billy, and not that douchier version of him that almost fought my sister?" I interrogate, but I can tell which one it is. This Billy doesn't have that dark aura around him, more like a fearful, sad one.