Afterwards, Eleven is taken back to her room. Kali is gentle, helping her out of the shredded pink dress, into a fresh hospital gown. Eleven lets her stroke a brush through her hair, wipe the blood away from under her nose. Eleven lays prone and still on the narrow bed, eyes open but unseeing. The older woman is soft, voice low and soothing.

"Next time, it will be better. Nine will be punished, of course. He should have listened." Kali shakes her head, frowning. Eleven ignores her, pretends that she's outside somewhere under an endless blue sky. That Mike is beside her, that his large hands are the ones fussing over her.

"Dr Brenner thinks that a child borne from yourself and Nine could be very special, Eleven. Would you like to be a Mother?" Kali gazes at her, waiting.

Finally, Eleven blinks and rolls into her side, curling into a tight ball. She hurts all over. Her skin burns from the rough, strong fingers of that man and the way he forced his way inside. Everything hurts. Everything feels swollen and bruised. She closes her eyes and quietly, without emotion, says, "I would rather die."

Kali says nothing, but rubs her back for a moment. Then the weight of the bed shifts and Eleven hears the clack of her heels against the tile. With a soft click, the lights go dark and the door locks. Only when she is finally alone does Eleven let the salty, hot tears come. Her entire body shakes with sobs, and she fists her hands in the blankets as she unleashes.

—

"Excuse me! Miss Mayfield!"

Lucas glances up from the silent work the class is doing, working on problems out of their book as their teacher marks yesterday's tests at her desk. Max skids to a stop in the front of the room - her eyes are wide, panicked, a turbulent sea of blue-green, and her wild copper hair flashes under the fluorescent lighting overhead.

"It's Mike," she says breathlessly.

"Maxine! This is not your class. Where is your hall pass?"

Max doesn't seem to hear the teacher as she stumbles to Lucas' desk, trembling hands on his shoulder. Instantly, the realization that she's not messing with him, this isn't some elaborate prank, sets in and he grabs his books and starts shoving them in his bag.

Mike is going through /something/ and while Lucas has been somewhat annoyed by this, guilt makes him move quicker. Obviously, he's gotten Max worked up, and that in turn makes Lucas worked up, too. They ignore the indignant teacher as they race out of the classroom, Max's clammy palm against his.

"What happened?" Lucas asks as their feet pound against the ground.

"We were going to Mirkwood - don't look at me like that," Max snaps. "I was trying to help!"

Lucas rolls his coffee-brown eyes. "By indulging in his fantasy?" They burst through the double doors into the cool, crisp fall morning. The sun is bright overhead. They trot to Mike's car, where he's hanging on the steering wheel with one hand and grabbing his head with the other. Tears track down his flushed, splotchy face. He looks - Lucas is reluctant to admit - completely wrecked. Heartbroken.

"Mike, what happened?" Max falls to her knees inside the open car door, her voice gentle and hands hovering like she doesn't know if or how to comfort him. Lucas feels a pinch of jealousy - usually these two bickered like cats and dogs. Seeing his girlfriend concerned for Mike feels unnatural.

"I couldn't save her," Mike says. His voice is so quiet, so defeated.

"Is this about Eleven then?" Lucas shakes his head at his girlfriend and best friend. "You got me out of class for /this/, Max? Really?"

She scowls at him. "Something is obviously happening to /your/ friend. Maybe you should be more worried about whatever mental breakdown he's having?"

Mike glares at both of them. "Don't you get it? Someone was /hurting/ her. Someone is keeping her prisoner and hurting her! I have to do something!" He bangs his fist against the steering wheel. Max grabs his arm.

"We will, Mike. But if they're capable of hurting her like that - of holding her there - we need a plan." She shares a Look with Lucas, cocking her head towards Mike and widening her eyes meaningfully.

"Right. We can't just bust in without a plan." At least this will buy them some time, Lucas hopes. They can get his parents involved. Get him the help he needs. With renewed determination, Lucas nudges Mike over. "I'll drive."

Mike gazes at him, dark eyes swimming with tears. "You believe me? You're really going to help?" For a horrifying second, Lucas can't speak. He's never seen Michael Wheeler look so hopeful and so forlorn at the same time. He hasn't seen him cry since the first time they watched E.T. as kids. Worry pings in his heart, and he nods.

"Yeah, man. Let's get your girl."