Wheeler Household – Early Morning
The sun rose like any other morning in Hawkins. For Karen Wheeler, everything was normal. She hummed softly in the kitchen as she fried eggs and poured orange juice. Little Molly giggled in her high chair while Ted sat unmoved behind the newspaper.
But upstairs, her older kids were about to walk into a day that would change everything.
Karen knocked on Mike's door first.
"Mike? Wake up, honey. Breakfast's ready."
A muffled "Yeah, yeah!" came from inside as he rolled out of bed, still groggy.
Next, she walked down the hall and tried Nancy's door—locked.
She frowned and knocked. "Nancy, sweetheart? Time to get up! Breakfast's almost ready."
Inside the room, Nancy and Jonathan exchanged a glance. He was folding the blanket they used on the floor, hair still a little messy.
Nancy called back, "I'm getting ready! Be down in a minute!"
Inside the room, Jonathan was standing by the window, arms crossed.
"Are you sure about this?" he asked Nancy quietly.
Nancy adjusted her coat, looking at him through the mirror. "We don't have a choice."
Karen smiled. "Okay," and went back downstairs.
Fifteen minutes later, Mike had come down and was halfway through his cereal when Dustin burst through the front door, breathless.
"Come on, come on, we've got work to do."
"What kind of work?" Karen asked.
"Science project," Dustin blurted. "Important. Gotta go!"
Before she could blink, both boys were out the door with bikes flying.
Ted glanced over his paper. "Do they ever walk?"
Back in the kitchen, Ted grunted behind his paper. "Where's Nancy?"
Karen glanced at the clock. "She should be down by now… I'll go check."
She headed upstairs again, this time with growing suspicion. She didn't bother knocking—just used a hairpin to unlock the door.
The room was empty.
The window was open.
Curtains fluttered in the breeze.
[Motel – 9:00 AM]
Zero sat on the edge of his bed, tightening the bandage around his ribs. A knock echoed through the room. Instinctively, he peered through the peephole—Nancy and Jonathan.
He relaxed and opened the door. "Morning. You're early."
Nancy crossed her arms. "No time to waste. Come on."
"Let me get my shoes first," he smirked.
Minutes later, the three were driving down Hawkins streets. Jonathan suggested, "Let's hit Hoosier Guns & Gear."
Zero leaned back. "First—we eat. You two look like you skipped breakfast."
Nancy groaned. "I hate that you're right."
They stopped at Sunrise Café, a quiet little diner. The waitress greeted them with sleepy charm. Jonathan ordered cereal, Nancy got toast and orange juice, and Zero opted for scrambled eggs with a splash of hot sauce and juice.
As they ate, Nancy leaned in. "So, what's the plan?"
"You two are always in a rush," Zero said, chewing slowly. "First, I explain. Then you agree. Only then we move forward."
They nodded.
"I told you yesterday—those things came from a Gate. Your brother and your friend… they were likely taken into it. But it's been days. We don't know if they're alive."
"They are alive!" Nancy snapped, louder than intended.
Jonathan echoed, "We know it."
Zero blinked, raising a brow. "Shh. Calm down. How do you even know that?"
Jonathan was the first to answer. "My mother has been communicating with Will. Through the lights. I didn't believe it at first, but… now i think it's real."
Nancy added quietly, "I don't have proof like Jonathan, but I can feel her. Barb. Calling me."
She looked down, breaking.
Zero sighed. He signaled Jonathan to comfort her—but Jonathan didn't catch it. With a small shake of his head, Zero reached across the table, gently placing his hands over Nancy's trembling ones. His voice softened.
"We'll find them," he said. "But we need to be smart. Not reckless."
She nodded, swallowing her tears.
Dustin & Mike – Cycling Through Town
The wind rushed past them as their bikes sped down the road.
"I just… I didn't mean for any of this to happen," Mike muttered.
"She's probably scared out of her mind," Dustin said. "And cold and hungry."
"She can take care of herself," Mike mumbled.
"She shouldn't have to," Dustin snapped.
"And maybe next time, don't punch your best friend in the face."
Mike flinched. "He was being a jerk."
"He was being honest," Dustin said. "You're the one who let your feelings for El get in the way."
Mike's cheeks burned. "What feelings?"
"C'mon, man. You like her. It's obvious."
Mike didn't reply right away.
"So what if I do?" he finally muttered.
Dustin smirked. "Then find her. And apologize. Before we lose her for good."
As they biked past Bradley's Big Buy, flashing lights and voices caught their attention.
Two patrol cars were parked out front. A red-faced store manager waved his arms at a cop.
"She busted the freezer door clean off! Took like six boxes of waffles—Eggo! And get this—barefoot. Little kid. Ran straight toward the woods!"
Mike's eyes widened. "No way…"
Dustin slowed his bike. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"
"It's her," Mike said. "It's El."
Without a word, they turned off the road and pedaled hard—straight for the forest.