Zero crouched silently in the shadows, blood still seeping from the wound on his back. The previous night's battle had left him wrecked—physically battered, mentally frayed. But his senses were sharp. When the girl he just saved whispered how she'd come into the Upside Down, something inside him snapped to attention.
"A tree creak?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"Yes," she nodded quickly. "There was a split in the tree behind the place where… that thing… was chasing me."
Zero's heart skipped. A creak… If she got in, maybe I can get out too.
"Do you know exactly where?" he asked, trying to hide the urgency in his voice.
She pointed—shakily—back through the broken trees. "That way. Behind the slope, near the large dead oak."
Of course it had to be there.
The exact spot where the Demogorgon had been hunting her.
"Perfect," Zero muttered bitterly. "Right where Satan's dog is sniffing."
He glanced down at his leg, which throbbed from the deep gash left by a Demodog's claw. He couldn't rely on his abilities for too long—his stamina was fractured, and Absolute Hypnosis took a heavy toll if used while wounded.
Still, the girl had gotten in. That meant there was a way out.
Even if he didn't make it—she had to.
Zero stood up, wincing.
"Listen," he said firmly, "I need you to trust me. Don't ask why—just do as I say, and you can get out of here."
She hesitated. "What about you?"
"I'll hold it off," Zero said, his tone grim. "If I have the time, I'll follow. If not—just go."
"You're hurt," she said softly.
"I've survived worse," he muttered, though his voice betrayed a hint of weariness. "Just… when you leave, drop something. Anything. I need to know where the exact point is from outside. Got it?"
She nodded, pulling a bracelet off her wrist. "This'll do?"
"Perfect."
Zero stepped out from the shadows, limping toward the clearing. His eyes narrowed on the Demogorgon sniffing around the forest floor like a bloodhound.
"HEY UGLY!" he roared. "COME GET ME, YOU BALD-FACED MUTANT SHITSTAIN!"
The creature's head twisted unnaturally toward him. In an instant, it howled and charged.
Zero didn't flinch.
He stared directly at it—his eyes glinting.
"Absolute Hypnosis," he whispered.
The Demogorgon's movements slowed.
Its mind fractured.
In its perception, Zero was already running away—in the opposite direction, deeper into the trees.
Zero used the opportunity.
"GO!" he shouted behind him.
The girl didn't hesitate this time. She sprinted toward the creak in the oak tree, her hair whipping behind her.
But Zero couldn't relax. The Demogorgon, while fooled, was still fast—and smarter than most.
With his vision blurring from exhaustion, Zero drew one of his crude blades fashioned from Demodog bone. He had no illusions—it wouldn't kill the beast, but it might stall it.
The Demogorgon slowed, confused… then sniffed the air again.
The illusion cracked.
Its roar exploded across the woods as it realized the truth.
It spun, eyes locking on the real Zero.
"SHIT."
It lunged.
Zero gritted his teeth and braced. He ducked just as its claws swiped through the air and slashed at its exposed ribcage. The blade cut through, spraying dark ichor.
But the beast was relentless.
It grabbed Zero's shoulder and flung him into a tree.
Pain exploded in his ribs.
He coughed blood—but still stood.
Behind the creature, he caught sight of her. Still there. Still waiting.
"IDIOT GIRL," he muttered.
He raised his hand again. His mind screamed against the strain.
"Absolute Hypnosis!"
The Demogorgon saw Zero running again—this time into the trees to the left.
It bolted.
Zero limped toward the girl, panting.
"GO!" he barked.
She hesitated… but then ran.
As she disappeared into the tree creak, Zero collapsed to his knees.
He looked back.
The illusion was already failing.
The Demogorgon roared as it turned.
Zero didn't wait.
He used his last strength to slide across the dirt, diving through the creak just as the Demogorgon lunged—and barely missed him.
There was a flash.
Then nothing.
Darkness faded.
Air rushed into his lungs.
Grass beneath his fingers.
Moonlight.
For the first time in four long years… he was out.