ALL NOVEL Chapter 14: Chapter 14: The Clash Beyond the Estate
The first day of the Christmas holidays dawned crisp and cold, the estate blanketed in a soft layer of snow. Alex and Tom had arrived home only the day before, and the holiday cheer in the air was palpable. The two brothers were looking forward to a quiet break, with time to delve into their studies and enjoy the warmth of family.
But peace was short-lived.
As the sun began its descent, painting the sky in hues of amber and crimson, an unnatural chill swept through the air. The tranquillity of the estate was broken by a strange, distant sound—something between a roar and a screech. Alex and Tom exchanged a glance, their wands already in hand, and without a word, they headed outside.
The source of the disturbance was not far from the estate grounds. In a clearing by the forest's edge, they stumbled upon a scene straight out of a nightmare. A young girl, no older than eleven or twelve, stood in tattered clothes, her face set with grim determination. Opposite her loomed a creature unlike anything they had ever seen—a towering, grotesque beast with a flower-like head that opened into rows of razor-sharp teeth. The girl was holding the monster at bay with nothing but sheer willpower, her nose bleeding from the effort.
"What in Merlin's name is that?" Alex whispered, his eyes wide.
"No idea," Tom muttered, his voice cold but alert. "But it needs to be dealt with."
Before they could act, the creature lunged at the girl, who barely managed to deflect it with a wave of her hand. The force of the attack sent her stumbling back, and she collapsed onto the ground, clearly exhausted. The beast snarled, preparing for a killing blow.
"Not on my watch," Alex growled. He raised his wand, his voice sharp and commanding. "Avada Kedavra!"
A jet of green light shot from his wand, hitting the creature squarely in its grotesque chest. It roared in agony, but it was not enough to finish it. The Demogorgon turned its head toward them, its glowing eyes full of rage.
Tom stepped forward, his expression unreadable, and raised his wand. "Avada Kedavra."
The second Killing Curse struck true, and the monster crumpled to the ground with a final, ear-splitting shriek. The clearing fell silent, save for the ragged breathing of the girl.
Alex hurried to her side, crouching down. "Are you all right?" he asked gently.
She looked up at him with wide, wary eyes but said nothing. Her trembling hand pointed to the treeline, where four boys were cautiously emerging: Mike, Will, Dustin, and Lucas. They were all battered and shaken but otherwise unharmed.
"Who are they?" Tom asked, his voice steady but curious.
"Friends," the girl finally whispered. "They tried to help."
Alex nodded, his gaze softening. "We'll make sure they get home safely."
The boys quickly explained their connection to the girl, whom they called Eleven. It became clear that they had been caught up in events far beyond their understanding, involving not just the Demogorgon but a place they referred to as the "Upside Down."
"You kids have been through enough," Alex said firmly. "We'll handle things from here."
Using a combination of magic and persuasion, Alex and Tom ensured the boys were safely returned to their homes. However, they chose not to erase their memories of the Demogorgon and the fight. "They deserve to remember what they faced," Tom reasoned. "It will make them stronger."
When it came to Eleven, the brothers hesitated. The girl was clearly different—powerful, but fragile. They decided to entrust her to the care of Officer Hopper, a kind and trustworthy man they had met briefly in town. They explained enough of the situation for him to understand the gravity of her circumstances and the need for secrecy.
Hopper, to his credit, took the responsibility without question. "I'll look after her," he promised, his voice steady. "She won't be alone."
As Hopper drove away with Eleven, Alex and Tom stood in the clearing, the remnants of the battle still fresh around them. The snow had begun to fall again, blanketing the scene in an eerie stillness.
"What was that thing?" Alex asked quietly.
Tom's gaze was fixed on the spot where the Demogorgon had fallen. "I don't know," he admitted. "But it wasn't of this world."
They returned to the estate in silence, the warmth of the fire doing little to chase away the chill that had settled over them. Despite their victory, a sense of unease lingered. The creature, the girl, the strange world the boys had spoken of—it all hinted at something far larger, far darker than they had yet encountered.
But for now, they had done their part. Christmas would come, and with it, a chance to regroup and prepare for whatever lay ahead. Together, they would face the unknown.