You’re still shaking when it’s over. The air inside Starcourt Mall is thick with smoke and burnt plastic, the floor slick with melted ice cream and blood that’s not all human. Somewhere in the distance, the Mind Flayer’s body collapses in a wet, echoing crash, and for a moment, all you can hear is the hum of dying lights.

Your lungs burn. You can still smell ozone, still hear the crackle of El’s power as she fell to her knees, drained. Billy’s body lies motionless in front of the gate, chest unmoving, his skin pale beneath the flashing red lights. You don’t even realize you’re crying until you taste salt on your lips.

You look around for Mike, ears ringing, you can taste the iron from your own blood in your mouth. It's a little blurry but now you can see him looking down at you. "Hey, hey, stay still."