Chapter 35

A girl stands in the doorway. Blood runs in a thin line from her left nostril. Her chest rises and falls, but her expression is calm.

For a beat, no one moves.

Then Maggie lets out a sound halfway between a sob and a laugh, relief flooding her face.

“Oh my God,” she breathes, her lips splitting into the biggest grin she can muster, “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

“Eleven,” Mike whispers.

It’s like time stops.

El’s eyes soften, glistening as she takes one uncertain step inside. Then another. And then Mike’s running, crossing the distance in two strides before crashing into her arms. The two cling to each other, trembling, crying, holding on like the world might vanish if they let go.

“I never gave up on you,” Mike says, voice cracking, “I called you every night. Every night for—”

“Three hundred fifty-three days,” El finishes, “I know.”

Mike’s face falls, confusion and hurt in his yes, “Why didn’t you tell me you were there?”

“Because I wouldn’t let her,” Hopper cuts in from behind.

All eyes swing to him.

“What the hell is this?” he demands, “Where have you been?”

Maggie steps in before El can answer, planting her hands on her hips.

“El, you left?” she says, half-scolding, half-relieved, “Where the hell did you go? I like to keep tabs on my favorite telekinetic child, you know.”

El’s lips twitch, a tiny laugh escaping despite the tears spilling down her cheeks. Without warning, she steps forward and wraps her arms around Maggie, burying her face into the older girl’s shoulder.

“Missed you,” El murmurs, her voice small and muffled.

Maggie smiles, her hand resting on the back of El’s head, “Me too, kid. Me too.”

The reunion lasts barely a heartbeat before Mike’s grief curdles into anger. He rounds on Hopper, his face red and wet with tears.

“You’ve been hiding her,” he shouts, “You’ve been hiding her this whole time!”

“Mike—”

“And you knew!” He points an accusing finger straight at Maggie.

Maggie’s expression falters.

“Mike, I couldn’t tell you,” she says, “It was for her safety. And frankly mine, because if I had said anything, Hopper would’ve buried me alive.”

“You could’ve told me!” he yells, shoving a hand through his hair, “You knew how much she means to me, and you kept it from me. This is all your fault!”

“Mike…” Maggie starts, stepping forward carefully, but before she can reach him, Hopper grips the boy’s shoulder and pulls him back.

“Let’s talk,” Hopper says, his tone final, “Alone.”

Mike jerks his arm but doesn’t resist, letting Hopper guide him down the hallway. The front door swings gently on its hinges, letting in the night air. The dead demodog lies silent at their feet, glass glittering around it like shattered ice.

While Hopper and Mike’s voices echo faintly down the hallway, the rest of the group gathers awkwardly in the living room, unsure what to do next. The adrenaline from the demodog attack still lingers in the air.

El turns toward the others, a little hesitant but smiling softly. Her eyes flit from face to face, taking in how much everyone has changed. Dustin looks taller (but still too proud of it), Lucas’s voice has dropped a little, and Maggie looks like she hasn’t slept in a week, but she’s still smiling that familiar lopsided grin that always made El feel safe.

El opens her arms just a little, unsure, and Lucas doesn’t hesitate. He steps forward and hugs her tight, his voice cracking slightly as he says, “We missed you.”

El hugs him back with a small, genuine smile, “I missed you too.”

Dustin bounces in right after, nearly tripping over himself in his rush to get to her.

“We talked about you pretty much every day,” he says, grinning ear to ear, “Like, every single day. Probably annoyed everyone, actually.”

El’s eyes flick toward Maggie, who nods solemnly.

“Oh yeah, he was insufferable,” she confirms, hands on her hips.

That earns her a glare from Dustin, but before he can respond, another voice pipes up.

“Eleven,” Max says, stepping forward with an uncertain smile, “Hey. Um, I’m Max. I’ve heard a lot about you.”

The two girls stare at each other for a long second. El’s eyes scanning her carefully, taking in the bright red hair and the defiant tilt to her chin. Then Max sticks out her hand.

El hesitates, glancing between the hand and Max’s face, before finally reaching out and taking it.

“Pretty,” El says softly.

Max freezes and blushes bright red, matching her hair.

“Oh, uh… thanks,” she stammers, a small, nervous laugh slipping out.

Before anyone can process the sudden tension radiating off the two girls, Maggie jumps in, clapping her hands together with mock seriousness.

“Sorry to totally ruin this adorably romantic moment, but we do have bigger fish to fry,” she says, her grin only widening when both girls immediately step apart, flustered.

El gives a tiny nod and backs away, cheeks still pink, before heading toward Joyce.

Dustin and Lucas exchange looks of total confusion, both of them wearing the exact same furrowed-brow expression.

“Okay,” Lucas says slowly, “what just happened?”

“Yeah, that felt… I dunno. Important?” Dustin adds, squinting after them.

Maggie sighs dramatically, planting a hand on each of their shoulders like a teacher about to deliver bad news.

“Sorry, boys,” she says, tone playful but knowing, “Looks like I’ve got two young protégés now. And neither of you are winning this race, because you don’t even qualify to compete.”

The boys stare at her, clearly trying to decipher what that even means.

“Hope that helps,” Maggie says with a cheerful pat on both their shoulders before sauntering off toward Nancy.

Dustin watches her go, his brow furrowing even deeper, “Is it just me, or did that make things more confusing?”

Lucas exhales through his nose, “Definitely more confusing.”

Across the room, Maggie slides up beside Nancy, who’s been leaning against the counter, quietly observing everything with her arms crossed. Maggie’s grin is wide and mischievous.

“What’s with the smile?” Nancy asks, suspicious but unable to keep the corner of her mouth from twitching up.

Maggie sighs dreamily, folding her arms over her chest, “I just love little gay people.”

Nancy gapes, “You what?”

“Nothing that concerns you, darling,” Maggie says breezily, leaning in to kiss Nancy’s cheek before she can react.

Nancy’s face goes scarlet, her breath catching in her throat.

“Maggie!” she hisses, eyes darting around to make sure no one saw.

But Maggie’s already halfway across the room again, grinning like a cat with a secret. Before Nancy can chase after her, they’re called into the kitchen.

Nancy sighs, pressing a hand to her cheek to cool it down before following the others. The brief warmth of that strange, messy reunion fades into tense focus once again.

“The place is crawling with dogs,” Hopper says, snapping everyone’s attention back to him as the girls step into the room.

“Demodogs,” Dustin corrects automatically.

Hopper’s head jerks toward him, “I’m sorry, what?”

“I said, uh… demodogs,” Dustin repeats, “Like demogorgon and dogs—you put them together, it sounds pretty badass—”

“How is that important right now?” Hopper cuts in.

Dustin deflates immediately, staring down at the table, “It’s not. I’m sorry.”

“I can do it,” El says.

Hopper turns, expression hard, “You’re not hearing me—”

“I’m hearing you,” she interrupts, “I can do it.”

“Even if El can do it,” Mike starts, “There’s still one problem.”

Everyone looks at him.

“If the brain dies, the body dies,” he continues, swallowing hard.

“I thought that was the whole point,” Max interjects, brow furrowed as she crosses her arms.

“It is,” Mike says quickly, “but if we’re really right about this, if El closes the gate and kills the Mind Flayer’s army…”

Lucas catches on quick, “Will and Maggie are part of that army.”

“Closing the gate will kill them,” Mike finishes.

The room falls silent again. All the air seems to leave it at once. Joyce covers her mouth, her eyes darting toward the ceiling, like she can already feel her kids slipping away.

Everyone’s gaze shifts slowly to Maggie.

She swallows, her shoulders tense but her face steady.

“Well,” she says after a long pause, forcing a shaky grin, “I for one am willing to sacrifice.”

“Maggie, no,” Nancy says immediately, stepping forward.

“No, seriously,” Maggie insists, voice rough but firm, “If it comes down to it and it’s me or Will, I’ll—”

“Marigold Byers, you listen to me!” Nancy snaps.

Her voice rings out through the small house, sharp enough to make everyone flinch.

Maggie is taken aback, visibly startled by the use of her full name.

Nancy steps closer, “You don’t always have to be so goddamn reckless! Maybe it didn’t occur to you, but you have people who care about you here.”

Her voice cracks slightly, but she doesn’t stop, “And you being so careless with your life is taking a toll on everyone. I sure as hell am not going to stand by while you get yourself killed.”

For a long second, nobody moves. Hopper looks down, his jaw tightening. Joyce wipes at her eyes. The younger kids exchange awkward, wide-eyed glances, unsure whether to look away or stay still.

Maggie’s bravado falters. She shrinks under Nancy’s gaze, eyes darting to the floor. Her voice comes out softer this time. The sarcasm drapes a thin veil over the ache in her chest.

“You could’ve just told me I’m a mess,” she mutters, “You didn’t have to prove it to the whole room.”

“Listen,” Mike interrupts, his voice tight, “We’ve got to figure out how to get it out of you guys.”

Joyce’s eyes dart to to Maggie, her hands trembling. Then something shifts in her expression.

“He likes it cold,” Joyce whispers, almost to herself.

Everyone stares at her.

She doesn’t explain. Instead, she spins on her heel and hurries down the hall toward Will’s room. The others exchange confused glances before rushing after her, their footsteps thudding across the old floorboards.

“He likes it cold,” Joyce repeats, muttering as she pushes open the door. The curtains flutter in the open window, letting in a gust of frigid air that makes everyone shiver.

“That’s what Will kept saying to me. He likes it cold.”

She strides to the window and slams it shut.

“We keep giving it what it wants,” she says, her voice rising with sudden urgency.

Jonathan’s face goes pale, “We have to make the host uninhabitable.”

“So if he likes it cold…” Nancy starts, piecing it together.

Joyce finishes, “We need to burn it out.”

Everyone looks at Will. Maggie’s gaze shifts between him and the others, her heartbeat loud in her ears.

“But,” she starts slowly, “the Mind Flayer hasn’t possessed me like it has Will,” she swallows hard, “What if it doesn’t work for me?”

Hopper’s face hardens. The lines around his eyes deepen as he looks between the two kids he’s somehow ended up responsible for.

“There’s only one way to find out,” he says grimly.

No one argues. In an instant, the room bursts into motion. Joyce wraps Will in a blanket with trembling hands while Jonathan grabs keys from the table. Hopper rattles off directions in his gravelly voice, already thinking three steps ahead.

“Take Denfield, you’ll see a large oak tree,” he says, ushering Jonathan toward the door, “You’re gonna swing a right, road’s gonna dead-end. It’s about a five-minute walk from there.”

He opens the back door of his car and carefully places Will inside, tucking the blanket tighter around him.

“And if you get lost or forget,” Hopper adds, glancing over his shoulder, “Maggie can help. She’s been there.”

Joyce freezes for a second, one hand gripping the car door.

“You’ve been there?” she asks, eyes narrowing with confusion.

“He needed help with El,” Maggie explains quickly, pulling on her jacket, “I was the help.”

Joyce doesn’t look entirely reassured, but she doesn’t press. She’s already too busy checking Will’s pulse and whispering his name.

Just as Hopper is about to close the car door, Nancy appears at the window, cheeks flushed and jaw set.

“I’m coming with you.”

“Nance—” Maggie starts, but Nancy’s tone leaves no room for debate.

“No, Maggie. I’m coming. End of story.”

Maggie sighs, lifts her hands in mock surrender, and scoots over to make room.

“Fine. But if we die in a fiery blaze, I’m haunting you first.”

Nancy rolls her eyes but climbs in, squeezing beside her. Jonathan starts the engine, headlights cutting through the darkness outside.

As they pull away from the Byers’ house, Maggie glances out the window. Through the haze of frost, she can see the others standing in the doorway watching them go. Their faces are pale and worried, framed by the glow of the porch light.

Maggie leans her head back against the seat, feeling the car rumble beneath her.Outside, the night is endless and cold, trees whipping by in dark blurs. The world feels like it’s holding its breath.

And Maggie can’t help but think, whatever happens at that cabin, none of them are coming back the same.

When they arrive at Hopper’s cabin, the night is thick and cold, the air biting at their skin as they stumble out of the car. Frost crunches under their boots.

They don’t waste a second. Jonathan hauls Will’s limp body in his arms while Joyce rushes ahead, throwing the door open. The group drags in every heater they could find, and start setting them up around Will.

As soon as they’re inside, Jonathan lays Will on the couch. His face is a ghostly gray, his lips tinged blue. Maggie sits beside him immediately, brushing her fingers through his sweat-damp hair, whispering something soft and almost songlike.

Joyce kneels by the heaters, fiddling with the cords. Her face is tight with panic and resolve.

“You ready?” Maggie asks, voice quiet but steady.

Joyce looks up, her eyes fierce through the tears, “Let’s kill this son of a bitch.”

Nancy crouches near the fireplace, lighting it. The flame catches, spreading warmth through the room. Jonathan and Joyce turn on the heaters one by one, their hums filling the silence until the cabin glows with orange light.

Maggie stays by Will’s side, still stroking his hair.

“Don’t worry, sunshine,” she whispers, “We’re gonna survive this. You and me, okay?”

As soon as the heat starts to build, sweat beads on everyone’s foreheads. Then Will begins to scream.

The sound tears through the cabin. His back arches violently, veins turning black as ink and crawling up his neck. Will thrashes, fighting the restraints with impossible strength.

“It’s not working! It’s not working!” Jonathan shouts, panic breaking through his voice, “Mom, are you listening to me?”

“Just wait!” Joyce yells.

“How much longer?” he pleads, “Look at him. You’re killing him!”

“Jonathan, just wait!” she cries again.

Maggie’s tears spill freely now, her hands trembling as she tries to hold Will’s face still.

“C’mon, sunshine. Come back to me,” she begs, “You’re stronger than it, I know you are.”

But Will’s eyes snap open and he rips off his restraints. Joyce jumps into action, trying to hold him down, but his hand shoots up, clamping around Joyce’s throat.

“Will! Stop!” Maggie screams, trying to pry his fingers loose. His grip is iron.

Jonathan tries to help, but the boy’s strength is monstrous. Desperate, Nancy grabs an iron rod from the fire, the end glowing red-hot. Without hesitation, she drives it into Will’s side.

The boy releases a blood-curdling scream, his body bowing backward. From Will’s throat, a torrent of shadow bursts forth. It’s a swirling, screeching black tornado that rushes toward the door and vanishes into the freezing night.

The silence that follows is deafening.

Jonathan dives for the plugs, yanking each heater out of the wall. Joyce collapses beside Will, sobbing, her hands fluttering helplessly over his face.

“Will, baby,” she pleads, “Please, please wake up.”

Maggie presses her forehead to his shoulder, tears dripping onto his shirt, “C’mon, sunshine. Come back to me.”

For a long moment, nothing happens. Slowly, Will’s eyes flutter open. His lips part.

“Mom?”

Joyce chokes on a sob and pulls him into her arms, clutching him like she’ll never let go again. Jonathan and Maggie wrap around them, the three Byers tangled in tears and relief.

Maggie buries her face in Will’s hair, inhaling the scent of ash and sweat and home. For the first time, the boy feels warm.

But underneath that warmth, Maggie feels something else. The Mind Flayer’s touch. Its connection to her hasn’t broken. It’s still there, waiting.

And when the gate closes, it’ll burn out everything connected to it. Including her.

She swallows hard, smiling faintly through her tears, because she knows she can’t let them see the fear yet. She doesn’t want this moment ruined.

But Nancy sees it anyway.

“Will’s okay,” Nancy says softly, stepping closer, “But Maggie…”

The realization hits all at once. Joyce’s smile falters. Jonathan’s arm around his sister tightens.

Maggie stands slowly, brushing the tears from her cheeks.

“It’s okay,” she whispers, her voice barely holding together, “It’s okay.”

Nancy shakes her head, already crying, “No. No, no, no. Don’t you dare say that.”

Maggie gives her a weak smile, “It’s not the first time I’ve been the disposable one, Nance.”

Joyce grabs her hand, holding it tightly, “Don’t say that. You hear me? Don’t you dare.”

But Maggie’s already looking around the room, her heart twisting at every familiar face.

“Just—just let me say a few things, okay? In case…” She trails off, “You know.”

Joyce’s face crumples. She nods silently.

Maggie kneels in front of Will first, brushing her thumb over his cheek.

“Hey, sunshine,” she says softly, “You’re gonna be okay now. Don’t you ever blame yourself for what happened, alright? You’re the strongest person I’ve ever met.”

Will looks confused out of his mind, “Why are you talking like that?”

Maggie just smiles sadly, “Because sometimes you don’t get to say things when you need to. And I want to make sure I do.”

“You’re scaring me,” Will whispers.

“I know,” Her throat tightens, “I’m sorry.”

She leans down and hugs him tightly, whispering into his hair, “You’re my favorite person in this whole stupid world.”

Then she moves to Jonathan, standing on shaky legs.

“You’re a good brother,” she tells him, “The best. You take care of them for me, yeah?”

Jonathan’s throat works as he nods, eyes glassy, “You’re coming back, Maggie. You are.”

She just shakes her head, a small, trembling laugh escaping her, “You always were a bad liar, Byers.”

Finally, she turns to Joyce. Her surrogate mother. The woman who took her in when she had nothing but a name.

“Thank you,” Maggie whispers, voice breaking, “For treating me like I was yours. For giving me a family. Even when I didn’t think I deserved it.”

Joyce pulls her into a fierce hug, both of them sobbing now.

“You do deserve it,” she says fiercely into Maggie’s hair, “Every bit of it.”

When Maggie finally steps back, she looks at Nancy. And despite everything, the danger, the grief, the end of the world, she grins.

“Okay, so, full honesty since I’m probably toast,” she says, sniffling but trying to sound light, “I’m kind of gay.”

Nancy blinks through her tears, “You’re—what?”

“Yeah,” Maggie says with a shrug, “And I’ve had this ridiculous, massive crush on you since, like, the second you called me a menace. So, uh. Sorry if that’s weird.”

Joyce doesn’t even look surprised.

Jonathan just sighs, muttering, “Yeah, that checks out.”

Nancy, though, looks stunned for a heartbeat. Then she lets out a wet laugh through her tears. “You’re unbelievable.”

Maggie’s grin softens, “Yeah, but you love me for it.”

Nancy shakes her head, trying to smile even as she cries, “Yeah, I do.”

And that’s when the sound of thunder echoes outside.

Maggie glances toward the window, eyes dark but steady now, “Guess that’s my cue.”

She turns back to them all, giving one last, wobbly smile. “If this works and I’m gone. Just… remember me the way I am right now, okay?”

Joyce covers her mouth with both hands. Jonathan’s jaw trembles.

Will just whispers, “Maggie?”

Maggie gives Will a shaky smile, kneeling in front of him as another rumble of thunder rolls through the woods outside.

“Hey, sunshine,” she says softly, brushing his hair out of his face, “It’s okay. You did so good, alright? You’re safe now.”

Will’s brows furrow. He doesn’t understand.

“Why are you saying it like that?”

Her voice cracks a little as she answers, “Because someone’s gotta make sure you remember how proud I am of you, dummy.”

She laughs wetly, tears slipping down her cheeks, and Will’s confusion deepens until his lip starts to tremble.

“Maggie, don’t,” Jonathan says, voice shaking, like if he interrupts fast enough he can stop what’s happening, “Don’t do that. You’re not—this isn’t goodbye.”

“Yeah, it is,” she whispers, standing now, though she’s wobbling a little on her feet, “You all know it.”

She looks between them, one by one, Joyce, clutching Will, Jonathan, pale and furious with grief, Nancy, with tears streaking down her face and that stubborn look that makes Maggie’s chest ache.

Outside, the wind howls. The air pressure dips hard enough to make their ears pop. Somewhere far away, deep underground, the gate is closing.

Maggie presses a hand to her sternum. It feels like something inside her is trying to tear itself out. Her veins are burning.

She grits her teeth, breath trembling.

“Guess that’s it,” she chokes out, trying to laugh, “Mind Flayer’s cashing out.”

“Maggie!” Joyce rushes forward, but Maggie steps back, shaking her head.

“Stay there,” she warns weakly, “I don’t… I don’t want to hurt anybody.”

Nancy’s already crying harder.

“You won’t,” she says, stepping closer anyway, “You never would.”

Maggie smiles faintly, “Tell that to the monster in my head.”

The thunder outside crescendos and suddenly she arches with a strangled gasp. Her body jerks like she’s been struck by lightning.

“Maggie!” Jonathan yells, catching her as she collapses, her body gone limp.

He lowers her carefully to the floor. Her eyes flutter for a second and roll back.

Joyce drops to her knees beside them, fumbling for her pulse, “She’s not—oh god—Jonathan, she’s not breathing!”

“Move!” he shouts, already pressing his hands to her chest, “Come on, Maggie. Come on!”

He counts under his breath, pushing rhythmically. Joyce is crying openly now, whispering prayers.

Will stares in horror, unable to move, “She can’t—she can’t be—”

“Don’t say it!” Jonathan snaps, leaning down to give two sharp breaths.

Then more compressions, “You hear me, Mags? You’re not leaving us like this. Not you.”

Nancy kneels beside him, clutching Maggie’s cold hand.

“Please,” she whispers, “Please, Maggie. You can’t—”

Jonathan presses again, once, twice, three times. And then Maggie gasps softly. It’s shallow. Her back arches slightly, eyes half-opening, though unfocused. A sharp exhale rattles out of her chest, and she slumps again, breathing but unconscious.

Jonathan collapses back with a sob of relief, “Jesus Christ—”

Joyce’s shaking hands hover over Maggie’s face, brushing her hair back.

“She’s breathing,” she whispers, like she doesn’t dare believe it, “She’s breathing.”

Nancy presses a trembling hand to her mouth, tears spilling freely now, “Oh my god.”

Jonathan wipes at his eyes roughly, still half shaking, “We need to keep her stable. Just—just keep her breathing.”

Joyce nods, pulling a blanket over Maggie’s still form, tucking it around her shoulders even though the air’s still hot.

“We’ve got you, sweetheart. You’re okay.”

Will crawls closer, clutching Maggie’s hand with both of his.

“You did it,” he whispers, voice breaking, “You did it, Maggie. You won.”

But Maggie doesn’t answer. Her face is pale. The storm outside begins to fade, the thunder rolling farther and farther away.

Nancy stays kneeling beside her, brushing her thumb over Maggie’s knuckles.

“You came back,” she murmurs softly, more to herself than anyone else, “You came back to us.”

Jonathan swallows hard, looking at her sister’s still chest rising and falling.

“Yeah,” he says quietly, voice raw, “But we don’t know for how long.”

Outside, the woods are eerily still again. Inside Hopper’s cabin, they sit together, Joyce clutching Will, Jonathan watching over Maggie, and Nancy refusing to let go of her hand as the faint glow of the fire flickers over them all.

And though Maggie’s unconscious, her lips part slightly, a ghost of a smile there, like somewhere, deep inside, she hears them.

and that’s pretty much a wrap on season 2! this lowkey made me so sad but maggie isn’t dead! and her and nancy are gonna have an interesting talk when she wakes up from her coma so get readyyyyy ;)))