Chapter Text
Eleven hadn’t spent much time with Robin, but she didn’t need to. Just looking around the room told her everything.
The air felt heavy. Too quiet.
Dustin was sobbing uncontrollably on the floor, his face red and his shoulders shaking. Joyce stood near the doorway, completely frozen, like her brain hadn’t caught up with what had just happened. Nancy’s hand was pressed tightly over her mouth as quiet, choked cries slipped through her fingers.
But Steve was the hardest to look at.
He sat on the floor with Robin in his arms, clutching her like if he let go—even for a second—she’d disappear. His face was twisted in grief, tears streaking down his cheeks as he gently shook her.
“Robin… hey… hey, come on,” he whispered hoarsely. “You gotta wake up. Please.”
Eleven felt a sharp pain twist in her chest.
This was her fault.
She was too slow.
She couldn’t save her fast enough.
Her hands trembled.
But she knew what she had to do.
“Wait!”
Her voice cut through the room. She tried to keep it steady, but tears were already running down her cheeks.
Everyone turned toward her.
“I can bring her back,” Eleven said. “Like I did with Max.”
There was a stunned silence.
Then—
“I knew it!” Mike blurted out.
Everyone immediately whipped around to glare at him.
Mike raised his hands slightly. “What? I did! I literally said she could probably—”
“Mike,” Nancy warned.
He quickly shut his mouth.
Hopper stepped forward, his voice low and serious. “Kid… you can’t keep doing this. You need to save your strength.”
Steve slowly lifted his head.
The look he gave Hopper was pure desperation.
“I will fight that bastard with my bare hands if I have to,” Steve said, his voice breaking. “Bring her back.”
He tightened his hold on Robin, his knuckles turning white.
“Please, Hopper,” he begged. “I need her. She’s… she’s my everything.”
The room fell silent again.
Hopper’s expression softened. He knew that kind of pain all too well.
He sighed deeply and rubbed his face.
“Alright,” he said quietly. “But if this starts hurting you, you stop. Got it?”
Eleven nodded.
She wiped her eyes with her sleeve and slowly knelt beside Robin.
Up close, she could see the constellation of freckles across Robin’s face, barely visible beneath streaks of red.
Robin looked so still.
Too still.
“I can’t promise this will work,” Eleven warned softly, glancing at Steve.
Steve didn’t hesitate.
“I’ll try anything,” he choked.
Eleven nodded.
She placed one hand on Robin’s forearm.
The other on her chest.
Her skin was freezing.
Far too cold.
Eleven took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
The lights above them flickered faintly.
A low ringing filled her ears.
The room faded away.
And the world seemed to stop.