It's the morning after you, your brother Will, and his friends Dustin and Lucas stayed over at Mike Wheeler's house. Sixth of November, 1983. Your mom - Joyce - had made you go with Will to make sure he was okay. You always ended up tagging along with Will and the boys. You'd stayed over, because Mrs Wheeler had said that it was okay for Will and the other boys to bike home at night but not you because you're a girl.

After Karen makes breakfast and you all sit at the table, Nancy yells something at Mike, who's shoving her. You smile as the sun shines through the windows. Everything is perfect with the Wheelers. Eggs, bacon, toast and orange juice.

And then the phone rings. Karen stands to answer it. "What? No, but his sister's here. She slept over, but Will and the other boys all went home."

Mike nudges you, his voice low. “What do you think is going on?” The question hangs heavy in the air. In the span of a heartbeat, the warmth around you drains away—laughter fading into uneasy silence.

A minute ago, everyone was laughing over breakfast and orange juice, the clatter of spoons filling the kitchen. Now, the air around you feels heavy, still.

Mrs. Wheeler puts the phone back on the wall and looks at her family, and at you. Mike turns to her as well, and you swear this is the first ever time he's actually listened to his own mother. Mrs. Wheeler tries to break the news to you without making you panic.

"That was your mom," says Mrs. Wheeler slowly, still trying to make sure that she doesn't scare you. "Will didn't make it home last night. But it's only been a few hours, I'm sure it's fine." Mike's jaw drops open.