Moments earlier.
After Dart bolted out of the audiovisual club room, Max headed toward the bathrooms near the basketball court.
She checked the girls' bathroom first, but when she found nothing, she stepped out and stopped in front of the men's room. She hesitated for a moment, unsure whether she should go in or not.
In the end, her desire to help was stronger than the discomfort, so she went inside—startling Mike, who was searching there as well.
—What are you doing? —Mike asked when he saw her checking the stalls in the men's bathroom.
—The same thing you are —Max replied without stopping—. Looking for Dart.
—I don't know why you're trying so hard —Mike commented as he walked out of the bathroom—. You and James aren't part of the group.
That comment was the last straw. Max didn't think twice before following him out to confront him.
—What's your problem? —she snapped angrily, stepping into his path—. We haven't done anything to any of you. Why do you treat us like this?
—I don't hate you. I don't even know you —Mike replied, uncomfortable—. But we don't need more friends.
—Nobody said you did —Max shot back—, but if you keep that attitude, you're going to lose the ones you already have.
Without waiting for an answer, she turned around and walked away.
Mike said nothing, but Max's words echoed loudly in his head.
Max decided to stop helping the group. As much as she liked the others, there was a limit to what she was willing to put up with.
So she set out to find James so she wouldn't have to leave school alone. She searched for him for a while, until she reached the football field.
And then she saw something that made her question her own sanity.
James was on his knees, his hands clutching his right side. Beside him, Will stood rigid, his body shaking as if he were having a seizure.
Max started running toward them, but before she could reach them, she saw the space around James begin to warp—like reality itself was folding inward. In a single instant, James vanished.
Shock and horror spread across Max's face as her mind tried to make sense of what she had just witnessed. The impact was so overwhelming that she couldn't take another step.
But when she realized Will wasn't reacting, she forced herself forward to check on him.
She didn't know what to do, so she simply stayed by his side, calling his name over and over, hoping he would wake up.
—Lucas, go get help! —Max shouted when she saw Lucas approaching.
Lucas ran back toward the school and, shortly after, returned with Mrs. Byers and the rest of the group.
Will came around a few minutes later. His face showed a mix of fear and discomfort, but for everyone else, seeing him conscious was an enormous relief.
After making sure Will wasn't in pain and had no visible injuries, Joyce decided it was time to leave.
Everyone watched as Will was taken away, quietly sobbing while Joyce did everything she could to comfort him.
—That was terrifying —Max said once Joyce and Will were far enough away.
—Two episodes in two days —Lucas added sadly.
—Do you think it was a real vision? —Dustin asked, instantly regretting it.
—Do you know where James is? —Lucas cut in, trying to change the subject.
—He… had to leave —Max answered carefully—. He had something to take care of.
It didn't take long before everyone said goodbye and headed to their respective homes.
Since Billy obviously wasn't going to wait for her, Max got ready to leave on her skateboard—but when she reached the school entrance, she noticed that James's bike was still there, parked where he had left it.
After a moment of hesitation, Max decided to take it with her, thinking:
I don't think he'll be mad… I'm actually doing him a favor by not leaving it here.
Once she convinced herself, Max started riding toward home. She pedaled slowly, as if the weight of the bike wasn't just metal, but questions.
James had disappeared. He hadn't left. He hadn't run. He hadn't asked for help.
He had simply… stopped being there.
Every time she closed her eyes, she saw the same thing: the air folding in on itself, like a sheet of paper crumpled by invisible hands. The football field—so normal, so ordinary—had turned into something impossible in a matter of seconds.
And James had been at the center of it.
The thought that no one else might have seen it scared her. That if she hadn't been there, everything would have happened the same way… just without witnesses.
Without her.
A shiver ran down her spine.
What if he doesn't come back?
The idea lodged itself in her chest harder than she expected. James had always seemed like someone who was just there—quiet, but present—as if the world could shake itself apart and he would still find a way to stay standing. Seeing him on his knees, injured… and then watching him disappear completely shattered that image.
But along with the fear, there was something else.
Curiosity.
A restlessness that wouldn't leave her alone.
Because even though she wanted to believe her mind had played a trick on her, everything fit together too perfectly. The bike was still at school. Will had reacted right after. And James… James always seemed to know more than he let on.
It wasn't a hallucination, she thought. It was real.
Max tightened her grip on the handlebars.
Part of her wanted to leave it alone. To pretend she hadn't seen anything, that James had simply left without saying goodbye, and that everything had a normal, boring, safe explanation.
But another part of her—the same part that had walked into the men's bathroom, the one that hadn't stayed quiet in front of Mike—wasn't willing to ignore it.
If James had disappeared… she wanted to know how.
And more importantly, she wanted to know why.
Fear told her to walk away.
Curiosity told her not to let go of that bike.
And for the first time since arriving in Hawkins, Max knew with absolute certainty that it was already too late to pretend she hadn't seen anything.
_____________________________________
Sesser, Illinois.
James opened his eyes for the first time in three days.
The world came rushing back all at once—heavy and blurry. His body felt like it had been through something his mind couldn't yet remember: every muscle ached, every breath took a little more effort than usual.
Instinctively, he brought a hand to his right side.
That was where it had all started.
There was no blood. No bandages. No scars. Nothing. And yet, the pain lingered—deep, like a memory that refused to fade.
With effort, he sat up.
When he recognized the room, his stomach twisted.
It was the bedroom he had at Murray's house in Illinois.
—No… —he murmured to himself.
It didn't make sense. He didn't remember leaving Hawkins. He didn't remember asking for help. He didn't remember coming here.
He stood up carefully and stepped out of the room.
—James… you're awake —Murray said when he saw him.
The relief on his face was immediate, almost exaggerated. As if he had been waiting for that moment with more fear than he wanted to admit.
—Murray —James said—, what am I doing here?
Murray didn't answer right away.
—Come here —he finally said—. Sit down.
He gestured toward the dining table. James obeyed, still dizzy.
—Tell me —Murray asked quietly—, what's the last thing you remember?
James closed his eyes, searching through scattered fragments.
—We were at school —he began—. Looking for Dart.
—Dart? —Murray asked, frowning.
—A… weird tadpole. It doesn't matter —James said quickly—. What matters is that Will had an episode. I went to help him.
He fell silent.
—And then? —Murray prompted carefully.
—Then… —James swallowed—. When I got closer, I felt a horrible pain right here.
He pressed his fingers into his side, as if it still hurt.
—Like something breaking inside me.
Murray said nothing.
—After that… nothing —James continued—. Just scattered images. A dry place. Empty. And someone talking to me.
He opened his eyes abruptly.
—Murray… how did I get here?
Murray inhaled slowly, as if bracing himself to say something he had been avoiding for days.
—Apparently —he said—, you're not just telekinetic.
James felt a knot tighten in his chest.
—What does that mean?
—It means —Murray continued— that you're also a jumper.
—No —James replied immediately—. That's not possible.
He leaned forward, resting his elbows on the table.
—You can't have more than one ability. You know that. I know that. Division knows that.
At the mention of that name, Murray reacted.
He tensed, lowering his voice instinctively, as if someone might overhear them.
—Don't say their name so lightly —he murmured.
That was what truly unsettled James.
—Murray… —he said—. If Division knew something like that, I wouldn't be here. They would've already found me.
—That's what you think —Murray replied.
He stood up and walked toward the living room. James hesitated before following him, as if every step brought him closer to a truth he didn't want to hear.
—For years, I've been investigating people with special abilities —Murray said, standing in front of a wall covered in photographs—. Telekinetics, shadows, pyrokinesis users, bleeders, jumpers…
He paused.
—Most of them have only one ability. That's true. That's what Division expects. That's what they need to be true.
James frowned.
—Then explain why you keep talking in plural.
Murray closed his eyes for a moment.
—Because there's an exception.
James felt cold.
—The Original Nine —he said, almost in a whisper.
—Yes —Murray replied—. The legend Division refuses to confirm… but has never stopped hunting.
—It's a myth —James insisted—. A story to scare kids with powers.
—Division doesn't spend decades chasing myths —Murray shot back sharply—. And they don't imprison, torture, and kill for them either.
Silence fell heavily between them.
—No —James said, shaking his head—. There has to be another explanation. Will could've done something. I was close. I could've been pulled in.
Murray looked at him sadly.
—James… —he said gently—. Will can't do that.
James didn't answer.
Murray turned away, removed one of the photographs, and revealed a safe built into the wall.
—Do you know why Division was so obsessed with your mother? —he asked as he opened it.
—Because she was a seer —James answered automatically.
—And did you ever wonder why the most powerful seer of the century let herself get caught?
The safe opened with a soft click.
Inside, Murray took out a small wooden box.
—She knew —he said—. She knew what you were.
James felt the air leave his lungs.
—My mother… —he whispered.
—She sacrificed herself to protect you —Murray continued—. And before she did, she entrusted me with two things.
He handed James the box.
—This —he said—. And you.
James's hands trembled.
—I… —he tried to speak, but his voice broke—. I didn't ask for this.
Murray placed a firm hand on his shoulder.
—I know.
And it was then, when denial could no longer hold, that James did something he had avoided for years.
He cried.
Not for the box.
Not for Division.
But for the weight of his mother's sacrifice—and everything it would mean for him.
_______________________________________
Later.
The revelations had left a heavy atmosphere inside Murray's house.
James locked himself in his room, trying to process everything he had just learned. Every thought crashed into another, and none offered any comfort.
Murray stayed in the living room. Doubt and guilt churned inside him. He had always known this moment would come, but nothing prepares you to tell a teenager that his mother sacrificed herself so he could live.
The sound of the doorbell pulled them both from their thoughts.
Murray never had visitors. Not since James's mother had left him in his care.
He moved quickly to the security camera system. James stepped out of his room and stood beside him, watching the screen.
—Were you expecting someone? —James asked when he saw two people standing at the door.
—No —Murray replied simply before activating the microphone—. Identify yourselves.
The order startled the visitors, but they complied.
—I'm Jonathan Byers. I'm with Nancy Wheeler —Jonathan said—. We're looking for Murray Bauman.
—We have information about the disappearance of Barbara Holland —Nancy added, looking straight into the camera.
Murray raised an eyebrow.
—Well… finally caught something —he muttered dryly as he headed for the door.
James stayed a few seconds longer in front of the monitors. He had the unsettling feeling that the revelations weren't over yet.
_____________________________________
Hawkins, Indiana.
The arcade was the only place where Max could shut her mind off.
The lights, the electronic sounds, the repetitive music… it was enough noise to drown out uncomfortable thoughts. To not think about James. To not think about the field. To not think about how someone could simply disappear.
—Can we talk?
The voice came from behind her.
Max pressed the buttons for a second longer before deliberately losing.
—If this is to apologize, you're late —she said without turning around.
—It's not that —Lucas replied—. It's something more serious.
That made her turn.
Lucas wasn't smiling. He wasn't nervous in his usual way. He looked… worried.
—What do you want, stalker? —she asked, turning back to the screen like she didn't care.
—To tell you the truth —he said—. The one we haven't told you.
The word *truth* made her miss a move.
Game Over.
Max let go of the controls with an exaggerated sigh.
—Okay —she said—. You have thirty seconds before I decide this is another weird prank.
Lucas swallowed.
—Not here.
They crossed the arcade in silence. Max noticed Lucas avoided looking at people, as if he were afraid someone might overhear them.
The maintenance room was at the back. The attendant was waiting for them, leaning against the wall.
—You again? —he said, looking at Lucas—. You know the deal.
—Yeah —Lucas replied—. I owe you one.
—You owe me a date —the attendant corrected with a crooked smile.
Lucas nodded.
The door closed behind them with a sharp click.
—This never happened —the attendant said from outside.
Max crossed her arms.
—If you try anything weird, I scream.
—What? No! —Lucas raised his hands—. I just… needed a place where no one could hear us.
He looked her in the eyes.
—What I'm about to tell you sounds crazy. And if I tell the wrong person… we're in trouble.
That made Max lower her guard slightly.
—Talk.
Lucas took a deep breath.
He didn't start with the monster.
He didn't start with the other dimension.
He started with Will.
—Last year —he said—, Will didn't get lost.
Max frowned.
—He was kidnapped —Lucas continued—. By something that wasn't from this world.
From there, the story grew darker, more absurd… and at the same time, disturbingly coherent.
Another dimension.
A monster.
A girl with powers.
When Lucas finished, the silence became heavy.
—And Eleven… —he said— disappeared with the monster. She never came back.
Max stared at him for a long moment.
She wanted to laugh. To mock him. To call him a liar.
But then she remembered the air folding in on itself.
The space closing around James.
—Do you have proof? —she asked.
Lucas looked down.
—Not here.
—Then this is just a story —she replied—. A good one, I'll admit, but still just a story.
Lucas looked at her, hurt.
—Friends don't lie —he said—. That's our most important rule.
Max took a step back.
—Then get better proof —she said—. Because I'm not believing anything blindly.
And she walked out.
Billy was waiting in the parking lot.
Not leaning against the car.
Inside it.
With the engine off.
That was already a bad sign.
—Who is he? —Billy asked when Max closed the door.
His tone was neutral. Too neutral.
—Who? —Max replied, though she knew exactly who he meant.
Billy slowly turned his head to look at her.
—The kid —he said—. The one staring at you from the arcade door.
Max felt a knot tighten in her stomach.
—His name is Lucas —she said—. He goes to my school.
Billy started the car.
—Listen, Max —he said calmly—. I don't like you. I never have.
He accelerated slightly.
—But you live under this roof.
His eyes flicked toward her for a second.
—And I make sure things… stay in order.
Max swallowed.
—That kid —Billy continued— isn't good company. There are people who bring trouble. People who aren't worth it.
He paused.
—And you're not smart enough to tell the difference.
Billy stopped accelerating and turned toward her.
—Do you understand?
Max didn't answer.
Billy smiled faintly.
—I said… do you understand?
Max nodded stiffly.
—Good —Billy said, driving off again—. I'm glad you learn fast.
Max turned to look out the window.
She didn't say anything.
But she knew, with absolute clarity, that Billy wasn't talking only about Lucas.
__________________________________
The next day.
The doorbell rang once.
Max lifted her head immediately.
For a second, her heart raced with a ridiculous hope.
James.
She hurried to the door, but when she opened it, she found Lucas standing there.
The disappointment was immediate.
—I call you stalkers, but this is taking it too far —Max muttered under her breath as she closed the door behind her. Billy's words still echoed in her head.
—I have proof —Lucas said bluntly.
That made Max look up.
—What?
—Proof that everything I told you is real —he explained—. But if you want to see it, we have to leave now.
Max hesitated for barely a second.
—Wait for me in the backyard —she ordered before turning around.
—Who were you talking to? —Billy asked from the living room.
Max walked down the hall without rushing.
—They were selling cookies —she replied, forcing a casual tone.
Billy didn't answer.
That was what unsettled her the most.
The music volume dropped.
Max went into her room and carefully closed the door. She didn't lock it; Billy hated the sound.
She moved to the window that faced the backyard.
Lucas was there, leaning on his bike, nervously watching the house.
Max pushed the window open just a few inches.
Creeeak.
The sound was faint—but in that house, it was too loud.
She froze completely.
The music stopped.
—Max? —Billy's voice came clearly from the living room.
She pressed her lips together.
—Nothing —she replied—. I'm fixing my skateboard.
Silence.
Slow footsteps.
They didn't come all the way closer… they stopped at the hallway.
Max's chest burned.
After a few eternal seconds, the music started again.
Max didn't wait.
She opened the window all the way. The frame gave more than she expected.
CLACK.
Lucas looked up, pale.
Max swung one leg out, then the other. The sill creaked under her weight.
—Max! —Billy's voice was closer now.
She let go of the window and landed badly on the grass.
The impact knocked the air out of her, but she didn't scream.
She rolled and pushed herself up.
—Run! —Lucas whispered.
A light turned on inside the house.
The back door flew open.
—MAX! —Billy roared.
Lucas jumped onto his bike.
Max grabbed James's bike and pedaled with all her strength, ignoring the pain in her legs.
She didn't look back.
She didn't need to.
When they turned the corner, Max swore she saw Billy standing in the back doorway, perfectly still… smiling.