If you had stayed

A few blood-curdling screams rang out—then the gunfire stopped. The First was still standing, but only by the thinnest thread of strength. The sudden silence didn’t calm him; it only sharpened his tension. He began scanning the area restlessly, bracing for another attack—until his eyes landed on me. I could barely see our pursuers, but I knew exactly what I was doing. With sharp, short motions of my palms, I flung the soldiers from side to side, slammed them into each other, spun them through the air like rag dolls. Boundless rage and thirst for revenge surged through me. — Eleven… — he whispered. — Run, — I said slowly, sniffing back the blood trickling from my nose. — You’re hurt. You can’t stay here any longer. — Me? — The First laughed, but his voice cracked. — I’m the one who can’t stay? — Yes. You. — Eleven, you’ve got way too many wrong ideas. First of all, I’m strong enough, in case you forgot. Second— — he slipped through the hole in the fence — — what you’re doing right now? Pointless. They’re all dead. Look—they’re not even screaming anymore. I didn’t look away from the soldiers. I kept tossing them around like broken toys. — Eleven? — he crouched down, tilting his head to catch my eye. — You hear me? Let’s go! — No! — I snapped. — They shot you! The First snorted. — They’re dead, — he repeated after a pause. — And if we don’t vanish right now, the ones left in the lab will call reinforcements. And those—you won’t handle. I hesitated. He was right. Noticing my doubt, he grabbed my wrist and yanked me toward the forest. One last murderous glare at the lab—and I followed. The cool shade of the autumn woods instantly soothed my burning mind. A few minutes later, I glanced at the First. — Where are we going? He suddenly froze—and burst out laughing. — Hell if I know. First, we need to ditch these freakishly white lab rags. I raised an eyebrow. — So you think it’s normal that your whole arm is covered in blood? — And you look like you just crawled out from under the dirt, — he grinned. I sighed, crouched down, and sharply tore the hem off my thin lab shirt. — Where? — I asked simply. The grin dropped from the First’s face. He waved a hand dismissively. — Forget it. I won’t die. — Where? — I repeated, firmer. He frowned. — I said, where? — You want me to take off my shirt and walk around Hawkins like this, with a bloody rag on my forearm? I slapped my forehead. — What’s the big deal about unbuttoning the sleeve and ripping it open at the elbow? — I snapped. The First’s eyebrows shot up. — It’s not about the *shirt*, Eleven. — Then what is it? — I planted my hands on my hips. He fell silent, as if searching for words. — It’s… pointless anyway. — Last warning, — I growled. But he just burst into laughter. — Go ahead, — the First stepped in front of me, arms spread wide. — Show me what you’ve got. — I’ve got plenty—I’m just worried you’ll pass out from blood loss. He rolled his eyes. I crossed my arms. — Fine. Let’s try this differently. Please, can I help you? The First studied me closely. — Eleven, I… My gaze stopped him cold. — Yes, — he finally gave in.