The backroom of Scoops Ahoy was crowded and tense, the air thick with anticipation. The usual smell of ice cream and sugar was replaced by fear and desperation. The fluorescent lights above flickered, casting eerie shadows on the faces gathered around the makeshift table. Steve Harrington leaned on the counter, running a hand through his messy hair, his face pale but determined.

“So, the plan,” he began, glancing around the room. “We light up the Mind Flayer with fireworks, distract it long enough for the others to handle the rest. Easy, right?”

Nancy Wheeler, always the serious one, nodded, her lips pressed into a thin line as she spread out the map of Starcourt Mall. "We’ll need to draw it far away from the others. There’s no margin for error here. If we mess up, they don’t stand a chance."

Eleven stood off to the side, her eyes half-closed as she focused, sensing the dark, looming presence outside. She hadn’t said much, but the way her hands trembled slightly was all the confirmation the group needed. The Mind Flayer was close, and it was angry.

Mike Wheeler stepped forward, glancing nervously at Eleven before addressing the group. "You guys will be the decoy. Steve, Robin, Nancy, and..." He paused, eyes landing on you. "You’ll be in charge of distracting that thing. Get it away from the mall, away from us."

Dustin, always the strategist, chimed in from beside Lucas, his voice filled with urgency. "We’ll set up the fireworks around the west entrance. Once it takes the bait, you lead it toward the parking lot. The more noise, the better. We need to give Eleven as much time as possible."

Robin Buckley, sitting on the counter, stared at the pile of fireworks with a raised eyebrow. "So, let me get this straight. We’re supposed to lure a gigantic, terrifying, otherworldly monster with fireworks? Like, literal sparklers and bottle rockets?"

Steve smirked, trying to lighten the mood. "Hey, it worked in movies, right? Plus, you’re always the one talking about wanting to go out with a bang."