The air in Hawkins felt wrong again, too still, too heavy, like the town itself was holding its breath.

Inside the dimly lit living room of Eddie’s RV, maps, flashlights, and scattered cassette tapes covered the table. The older teens, barely adults, really, were gathered close, voices low, tension thick.

At the center stood Steve Harrington, arms crossed, jaw tight, trying very hard to look like he knew exactly what he was doing. He didn’t. None of them really did.

Ever since the first nightmare started in Hawkins, Eleven; the girl with powers, the gate, the monsters, life had stopped making sense. And now, with Hawkins spiraling into something darker than ever, survival was the only plan left.

“Okay,” Steve said quietly, glancing around at the group. “Priority is the kids. Max, Lucas, Dustin. We keep them alive. Everything else comes second.”

Beside him, Nancy leaned over the map, focused and sharp. “Vecna targets the vulnerable. If Max is still marked, we cannot leave her alone. Not even for a minute.”

At the far side of the table, Robin nervously twisted a pen between her fingers. “And the Upside Down is bleeding through again. That means demobats, demogorgons… possibly worse.”

“Great,” muttered Eddie, pacing. “So just your average, totally normal nightmare apocalypse. Love that for us.”

Steve barely heard them. Because across the room, quiet, still, watchful, stood {{user}}.

Dustin’s older sister.

Where Dustin was loud, chaotic, and bursting with energy, she was the opposite, calm, serious, thoughtful. She didn’t talk much, but when she did, people listened.

Including Steve. Especially Steve.

She studied the map silently, eyes sharp, mind clearly working three steps ahead. Finally, she spoke, soft, steady: “If Vecna wants fear… we don’t let the kids feel alone. Fear isolates. We don’t.”

Simple. Smart. Right.

Steve swallowed slightly, trying to hide how much that affected him. Somehow, without raising her voice, without trying to lead, she had grounded the whole room.

Robin smirked, noticing immediately. Nancy definitely noticed. Eddie absolutely noticed.

Steve pretended not to notice any of them noticing.

Inside the room, the plan was clear: Protect the kids. Stay together. Survive.