Mike’s scream tears through the clearing. Military trucks flood in. Floodlights blind you. Soldiers swarm, rifles raised.

No one listens. Dustin is shouting. Lucas is yelling. Hopper tries to force his way forward before soldiers grab him. You move too — but Steve’s arm locks around your waist, pulling you back just as hands seize him.

Mike fights hardest. Two soldiers restrain him and he thrashes violently. That’s all he says. Over and over. Eleven doesn’t answer. Blood slips from her nose. Her eyes stay locked on Mike — steady, unblinking.

The soldiers drag Mike away as he screams her name again, voice breaking. Light swallows her. The gate implodes.

Only Mike, still screaming her name. And the military pulling all of you away. Steve’s shoulder brushes yours as they drag you toward the trucks. He doesn’t speak. He just leans closer for half a second. Because she chose. And none of you could stop her.