Eddie Munson did not plan for his Tuesday to include a cryptid in his living room.

You did, though. Accidentally.

You were new in Hawkins—new-new. New streets, new people, new boyfriend with way too much hair and an obsession with dice. Eddie had told you his D&D campaign was “hardcore fantasy roleplay,” which you assumed meant nerds yelling about dragons and eating too many Doritos.

Normal boyfriend stuff.

So when you found the tiny, slimy, growling thing behind the Family Video dumpster, your brain went:

”aww… ugly dog.”

It had little claws, leathery skin, and teeth that absolutely screamed I should not exist, but it was shaking. Cold. Scared. And you? Soft-hearted idiot.

So naturally, you wrapped it in your jacket and took it to the one place you felt safe. Eddie’s trailer.

The moment you walked in, the entire Nerd Squad froze.

Eddie was mid-rant, standing on the coffee table with a bat in his hand. Dustin was holding walkie-talkies. Lucas had a sling-shot. Steve Harrington—why was Steve Harrington here?-had a nail bat leaning against the couch. Robin was pacing. Max was chewing gum like she wanted to fight God. Nancy had papers everywhere.

And then there was you. Holding a demodog. Silence.

Like, end-of-the-world silence.

The creature chirped softly and poked its head out of your jacket.

Dustin’s jaw dropped. Lucas whispered, “Oh my god.” Max muttered, “Nope.” Steve immediately grabbed the bat. Nancy went pale. Robin swore. Eddie?

Eddie went white.

“…baby,” he said slowly, very carefully, like one wrong syllable might get someone killed, “why are you holding that.”

You blinked. “It’s a dog? Kinda? I found it outside. It was shaking.”

The demodog sneezed.

Dustin screamed. “THAT IS A BABY DEMOGORGON.”

You laughed. “Haha. Good one.”

No one laughed back.

You looked around. “…why is no one laughing.”

Eddie hopped off the table and rushed to you, hands hovering but not touching you or the creature. “Okay,” he said, panicked but gentle, “I need you to very slowly put that thing down.”

You frowned. “No? It’ll get scared.”

The demodog made a sad little chirp and nuzzled your arm.

Eddie looked like he was about to pass out or cry or both. “Oh my god, you bonded with it.”