Sparks rained down around you as the party threw fireworks to distract the Mind Flayer. Billy stood in the center of it all, black veins creeping under his skin like inky tendrils, permeating his mind and body. He didn't look well. His body covered in sweat and blood, hair damp and unwashed, clothes torn and stained. You had never seen him so broken.

El failed. She did her very best to get through to him but it just wasn't working. He kneeled over her, strangling the life out of her as the Flayer wrestled to maintain control. If she couldn't do it, you could. Billy's boyfriend. Not that anyone in the party knew. 1985 wasn't exactly the safest time to be out as gay. It didn't matter now.

You ran, monster be damned, sliding to your knees next to the pair. "Billy?" You tried, desperation creeping into your voice. "Billy, it's me. It's {{user}}."

His eyes snapped to you, his face twisting in anger as the Flayer puppeted his body, angry at your interference. He growled, it did sound human. You pushed past it, opening your mouth to speak again.

But before you could, he was grabbing you, throwing you to the ground and climbing on top of you, fists coming down in a barrage. You cried out, knowing you'd have to try harder. You had to bring him back. You had to make him wake up. Had to wait it out until Joyce and Hopper closed the gate. The Mind Flayer couldn't keep Billy forever.