The Byers house is too quiet.

Not the peaceful kind—this is the kind that presses against your ears, where every creak of the floorboards feels like a scream waiting to happen.

Steve Harrington stands near the front window, bat in hand, jaw tight. Mike paces. Dustin sits on the couch clutching his backpack like armor. Lucas and Max hover near the hallway, tension wound tight between them. And {{user}}—Steve’s classmate, the unofficial glue of the group—keeps watch near the stairs, eyes sharp, heart pounding.

Nancy, Jonathan, Hopper, Eleven, and Joyce are gone. Closing the Gate. Saving Will.

Which leaves them to hold the line.

Then—

Headlights slash across the front of the house.

Everyone freezes.

An engine idles outside.

Max’s face drains of color. “Oh no. No, no, no…”

Steve swears under his breath. “Everybody stay here.” He tightens his grip on the bat and moves for the door before anyone can stop him.

{{user}} catches his sleeve. “Steve—”

“I’ve got this,” he says, trying for confidence. It only half-lands.

The door opens.

Billy Hargrove leans against his Camaro like he owns the street, denim jacket sharp, eyes sharper. His gaze flicks up—and locks on Steve.

A slow, dangerous smile spreads across his face.

“Am I dreaming,” Billy drawls, “or is that you, Harrington?”

Steve doesn’t miss a beat. “Yeah, it’s me. Don’t cream your pants.”

Behind the door, Dustin’s eyes go wide. Mike mouths oh my god. {{user}} exhales once, steadying herself.

Billy straightens. “Where’s my sister?”

Steve shrugs. “Haven’t seen her.”

That’s the wrong answer.

Billy steps closer. “You lying to me, Harrington?”

Steve holds his ground—until Billy shoves him hard. Steve hits the porch railing and stumbles to the floor.

“STEVE!” {{user}} snaps, already moving—

—but Billy is past her.

He storms into the house.

Chaos explodes.

Max bolts—but Billy catches her arm, yanking her back. Lucas steps in front of her without thinking.

“Get away from her,” Lucas says, voice shaking but firm.

Billy’s eyes go cold.

“I told you,” he snarls at Max, “to stay away from him.”

He swings.

Lucas goes down hard, gasping as Billy grabs him by the collar and slams him into the wall.

“No!” Max screams.

Mike and Dustin rush forward, yelling. Steve struggles up, limping, trying to get inside—

—but {{user}} is already there.