More Than The Upside Down - An IT (2017) & Stranger Things Crossover

Into the Woods

Mike

Riding home on his bike, Mike couldn't help but feel his heart squeeze with tension. Something was wrong with Eleven and he was desperate to know what. He might not have known her long, but he had a deep sense of wanting her to be okay. When she first met Lucas, Dustin and himself, she was shaking and soaked from the rain.

Mike could see sadness and loneliness shroud her eyes when they first maintained eye contact. He might not know why, but he had a strong urge to care for her and make sure she was happy. But not just for that reason alone, because nobody deserves to be lonely as well.

Mike dropped his bike and ran to unlock his front door. Once it was unlocked, he raced inside and called for Eleven. She stood in the doorway to the living room and looked at him. Something fluttered within Mike's chest, it was light and made him feel giddy.

Even though the sensation lasted for a few seconds, he couldn't help but feel confused after. What was that? Mike thought. That's never happened before.

Mike then realised that Eleven was staring at him expectantly.

He shook his head and cleared his throat, "Are you going to show me what's wrong?"

Eleven nodded and began to reach for his hand, her fingertips tickling his palm. The feeling in his chest grew again causing him to freak and pull his hand away. What is wrong with me? He thought.

A look of confusion flashed across Eleven's face.

"Just show me," Mike said awkwardly.

She nodded and began to walk out of the house. He called for her to wait while he locked the house again. Once he was finished locking the house, the two hopped on Mike's bike and started heading towards what would change their lives, whether that was for better, or worse.

*

They rode on Mike's bike until they came near the outskirts of the woods.

"Stop." Eleven murmured into Mike's ear.

The two got off the bike and he began to pull it towards his body. Together, they began to walk into the trees.

Walk, walk, walk. They walked for what seemed like hours until Mike began to grow irritated.

"Look, how much longer do we have left to walk?" He asked in an annoyed tone.

"Not long," She promised.

Eventually, they came across a tree that looked practically dead, except for one thing. Near the bottom of the tree was a supposed hole, covered by thick, sticky membrane that seemed to coat the outer corners of it.

"What is it?" Mike queried.

Eleven didn't reply. Instead, she walked towards it and began to reach for the membrane.

"Stop!" Mike cried out, running to grab her hand before she could touch it. "Are you insane?"

"Them" Eleven simply remarked. "Need them."

Mike was frowning with deep confusion now, "Who are they and why do we need them?"

Eleven didn't reply.

"How about we get some back up before we go in then. Alright?" Mike suggested.

Eleven nodded. "Okay."

The two walked together out of the woods and back to Mike's house where he called to his friends via walkie-talkie. When Lucas and Dustin arrived at his place, they were clearly confused, but didn't argue. Instead, the four walked to the woods in silence, tension and curiosity chained to all of them.