BYERS RESIDENCE

HAWKINS, INDIANA

SEPTEMBER 22, 2025, 1:15 AM

Standing outside of the van, blonde hair pulled into a ponytail at the crown of her head, Demona loaded the weapon that had been picked out specifically for her, once making sure everything was in working order. She had checked it three times already, yes, but it was something to keep her mind off of what they were about to do. Part of her still felt that it was stupid, yes, but as long as things went according to the plan, they would be able to make it home by the end of the night, and she could start her new life with Eddie.

Nancy, Steve, and Dustin had taken Eleven to the gate in the woods near the town’s lone farm, while Jessica had taken Eddie and Demona to the Byers’ home in favor of entering the gate that Will had likely disappeared into. It was a bit farther than Demona had originally guessed it would be, and while she would never admit it outloud, it made Eddie’s plan even better. The ‘rangers’ would have a better shot at saving Will if the demogorgons were near the homes rather than near where their person-of-interest was hiding, and it would give Eddie and Demona a better chance of staying out of the way.

It did little to help her anxiety about the whole situation, though, and snapping the barrel of the shotgun back shut, Demona flipped the safety on before turning over to look at Eddie. He hadn’t opened the guitar case yet, as she had expected him to, and for a moment, she wondered if she had made a mistake by getting it for him to begin with. Sure, it had been sitting in the case for the past six years, but it was his.

“I know it’s not the one you’re used to, but it’s gotta be better than asking Paige to take yours to an alternate dimension, right? I mean, I saw how she lost it over you just dropping it.” Her comment was meant to lighten the mood, drawing their memory back to their somewhat unexpected meeting behind the bar, but as she heard Jessica snort in amusement from the driver’s seat, she let out a breath, eyes flickering back to her friend before landing back on Eddie.

“Either way, it’s yours. I mean it.”