The evening air smelled of pine and damp earth as Scott searched the woods with a flashlight in one hand and a thermos in the other. Other volunteers called through the trees, their voices strained with worry. Will Byers was still missing.

Scott moved carefully, studying broken twigs, footprints, and disturbed soil. Years of teaching science had taught him patience and observation; tonight, both felt more important than ever. A crackle from a walkie-talkie drew him toward a nearby clearing. As he scanned the undergrowth, his light caught a faint movement among the trees.

Hope surged. Kneeling beside the trail, Scott leaned forward and murmured, “Okay... let's see what you've got.”

Then he kept searching.