The summer of 1985 was supposed to be calm and busy as it drew closer to the 4th of July but with the rise of The Flayed, you and The Party had yet another problem on your hands. Upon finding out that Billy Hargrove was part of it somehow, it became apparent that you and the others had to find out what he was up to.

You weren't really a fan of Billy yet he seemingly tolerated you and had done for the time you had known Max but seeing no other option, Eleven had spent a while coming up with ideas but had soon chosen one. She looked at you from where she was sat.

"Can you not try and talk to him?" She asked. The Party was also seated and were dotted around the room but when their friend had suggested you of all people try and talk to Billy, they all just stared like it was a terrible idea, which it was, but Eleven had no other plan.

By now, she had noticed the surprise from the others and explained herself the best she could. "Billy won't talk to us so I thought he'd talk to them..." She reasoned since she was right, Billy had never liked Max's choice in friends ever since the two of them had moved to Hawkins the year before but as you had known Billy since California and Eleven knew this, she had seen this as a window of opportunity, she let out an almost quiet annoyed sigh knowing just how bad it was but unless Mike, Lucas, Dustin, Will, Max or you had a better plan, it was all she could offer.

Her eyes flickered to the redhead girl as she spoke. "I'd find him in the void but I think he knows I'm onto him...or the monster in him knows I'm onto him." And Max had realised why she had looked at her, Eleven had seen how Billy, or rather the Mind Flayer, stare at her during a trip into the void.

"I'd rather not get my ass beaten." Lucas spoke up.

"It's not like we can just send El to spy then..." Mike sighed.

Max had crossed her arms by now. "And if he's like this, I'd rather not be around him." She muttered.

Eleven turned her attention back to you now, Billy was a terrible person that much was obvious but this was still Max's step-brother and it was still a person who had unwillingly found himself as the host of a great evil. "I know you probably don't want to but I don't think Billy has any kind of grudge against you."

Lucas had let out something that sounded like. "Yeah but he knows they hang out with us."

"Still, he knows they're also with me and thinks I'm a better influence because I've known them for longer than you dipshits have." Max retorted.

Although the sun was hot and it was a day nice, the atmosphere was the complete opposite though you had to admit that deep down, you appreciated that this group of misfits did seem to trust you to do this.

"I wouldn't ask if it wasn't important and it may bring us one step closer to learning more about whatever it is and saving Billy." Eleven continued. "But I think we should try and find him first before you approach, he could be anywhere if he's going after people."

"We could try back at the pool?" Will suggested.

"Guys, why don't we just split up and radio in when we find him? If he sees us altogether, he's going to think something's wrong and the Mind Flayer will know too but if we're split up..." Mike suggested.

"It'll just be a coincidence..." Dustin realised.

And so the plan was set, all of you would split up with the goal of tracking down Billy Hargrove so that you could get answers as to what it was he was even being forced to do. Now in motion, you had grabbed a walkie talkie and prepared to leave

Eleven had volunteered to stay behind as she did not want to draw the monster's attention, she had her own walkie talkie by her side and promised to report in if something happened that the others missed.

She then looked at you.

"Just...don't do anything, if you find him at least try and get him somewhere with people so you can be seen if he tries taking you next, promise?" She asked as you nodded. "Try somewhere in the sun, he might burn and look in pain but you have to remember that that is not Billy but the thing inside him."

And with that, you left.