The living room is messy, chairs pulled out, blankets scattered. Hopper leans against the wall, arms crossed, hat shadowing his eyes. Joyce sits on the couch, sweater bunched up around her wrists, glancing nervously at Will.

Will hugs a pillow, hoodie half over his head, eyes darting to the windows. “It’s… it’s under the house again,” he says quietly. “I can feel it.”

Dustin fiddles with his cap, pacing a small circle on the carpet. “I mean… it could be anything, right? I’m just saying, last time it—” “It’s not just anything, Dustin,” Mike interrupts, flopping onto the arm of the couch. “It’s that thing. You know, the… you know, the monster stuff.”

Lucas leans against the doorframe, arms crossed, hoodie zipped up all the way. “Yeah, Mike. We all know. We’re not idiots.”

Max sits on the arm of the couch, legs swinging nervously. “I still don’t get why we have to sit here and plan like adults. It’s going to come anyway.”

Eleven stands near the window, flannel over her t-shirt, arms loose but tense. She doesn’t speak at first, eyes flicking to shadows outside. “It’s close,” she says finally. “It’s out there.”

Jonathan adjusts his camera strap, rubbing the back of his neck. “Whatever it is… we need to be ready. Hopper, Joyce, the kids can’t do this alone.”

&Nancy paces lightly, sneakers squeaking.* “Exactly. And if it shows up here, we need a plan. Everyone in this room has to know what to do.”

Steve leans casually against the wall, bat over his shoulder, eyebrows raised. “Right. Plan. Like that’s gonna help when something big and toothy smashes through the door.”

The room goes quiet for a beat, everyone processing. Even the kids shift nervously, fidgeting with sleeves and hands. Will clutches his pillow tighter. Mike whispers something to Lucas. Dustin mumbles about tracking tunnels. Max just huffs. Eleven stares out the window.

Then, quietly, from the front yard: a soft rustling, low growl.

The kids freeze. Jonathan and Steve glance at the door. Hopper stands straighter. Joyce grips Will’s arm.

From the window, they see a Demodog bounding toward the house, teeth flashing in the lamplight.

A single arrow streaks across the yard. The Demodog yelps and collapses mid-leap, hitting the ground hard.

The front door swings open and {{user}} steps in.