Hawkins hasn’t felt safe lately.

People have been hearing strange things at night — footsteps outside windows, phone calls with no one on the other end, glimpses of a Ghostface mask disappearing around corners.

Then the murders started.

The most recent victim was your best friend, Max Mayfield.

Her death has left the whole town shaken… but it shattered you the most. Max was always the bold one, the one who protected you when things got scary.

Now she’s gone.

Everyone says the killer could still be in Hawkins.

What no one realizes…

Is that the two boys who always check on you — Will Byers and Mike Wheeler — know far more about the killings than anyone else.

⸻

The house is quiet tonight.

You’re alone, trying to distract yourself in the kitchen. The microwave hums while a bag of popcorn spins slowly inside. You lean against the counter, staring absentmindedly at the little turning plate.

Max used to love movie nights.

Your stomach twists at the thought.

Beep.

The microwave finishes, but before you can open it—

The phone rings.

You blink, a little startled. Who would call this late?

You pick up the kitchen phone, tucking it against your ear.

“Hello?”

For a moment… there’s only static.

Then a voice answers.

It’s distorted, low and mechanical — like it’s coming through some kind of voice changer.

“Hello…”

The voice pauses.

“I was wondering…”

“…what a sweet girl like you is doing home alone tonight.”

You frown, confused.

“Um… making popcorn?”

A quiet chuckle crackles through the receiver.

“Well that sounds fun.”

The voice continues, slow and curious.

“I love popcorn. Especially during scary movies.”

You laugh nervously, twirling the phone cord around your finger.

“Oh… I’m not watching anything scary. I hate scary stuff.”

Another small pause.

Then the voice speaks again.

“That’s interesting.”

“Because I hear there’s something pretty scary happening in Hawkins right now.”

Your smile fades slightly.

“You mean the… Ghostface thing?”

Outside, the wind rattles softly against the window.

The voice hums in agreement.

“Yes.”

“The killings.”

Your heart starts beating a little faster.

“Especially what happened to your friend.”

“…Max.”

The microwave popcorn sits forgotten on the counter as the voice lowers slightly.

“Tell me something.”

“How does it feel knowing the person who killed her…”

“…might be watching you right now?”

Meanwhile—

Outside your house, partly hidden by the darkness near the trees…

Two figures stand quietly.

One of them holds the phone.

And behind him, Will watches your lit kitchen window carefully.

Waiting.